MORE than 200 astronomy enthusiasts gathered at a Ribble Valley observatory for a rare sighting of the planet Mercury transiting the sun.

Star gazers turned up at Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green, at daybreak yesterday to watch the planetary phenomenon that last occurred a decade ago.

Stonyhurst College Observatory threw open its doors to members of the public to view Mercury crossing the face of the sun for the first time since 1993.

The transit of Mercury was not visible to the naked eye and could only be viewed by a projected image from a high-powered telescope.

Stonyhurst College is one of the few schools in Lancashire to teach astronomy and pupils got up at the crack of dawn to watch the eagerly-awaited phenomenon.

They were joined by more than 200 family, friends and amateur astronomers, as well as TV weatherman Fred Talbot and a film crew.

Finton O'Reilly, who teaches astronomy at the college, said: "The correct and safe method to view this transit of Mercury was by solar projection.

"We invited anyone interested in observing the event to call in at the observatory and view a projected image of Mercury through our powerful telescope."