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Pictured: Rare 'upside-down rainbow' spotted over Kent by Karen Thomas in Pluckley

Sky-gazers were stunned to see a rare "upside-down rainbow" over Kent.

The arc of psychedelic colour was seen shimmering over the county in the evening sunshine yesterday.

It is a phenomenen known as a circumzenithal arc and is often mistaken for a rainbow hanging upside down.

A circumzenithal arc spotted in the sky over Kent. Picture: Karen Thomas
A circumzenithal arc spotted in the sky over Kent. Picture: Karen Thomas

The sky has to be clear of rain and low level clouds for it to be seen - and only when light shines at a specific angle through wispy clouds at about 20,000ft.

These pictures of the sight relatively rare in Britain were taken by Karen Thomas in Pluckley, Kelly Taylor in Willesborough and Josh Lyons in South Ashford.

The Met Office says circumzenithal arcs are seen relatively rarely in Britain because they can only be seen at the right combination of atmospheric conditions.

The "upside-down rainbow" over Willesborough in Ashford. Picture: Kelly Taylor
The "upside-down rainbow" over Willesborough in Ashford. Picture: Kelly Taylor
The rare weather phenomenon was also captured by Josh Lyons in South Ashford
The rare weather phenomenon was also captured by Josh Lyons in South Ashford

Did you take any pictures of the "upside-down rainbow"? Email them - and any others you think might be newsworthy - to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk using #bestpic as the subject... and you could win £100!

For full details on our #bestpic competition, click here.

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