DESPITE a cloudy sky, novice stargazers enjoyed an event at the Redesdale Arms in Rochester.

The free family night on January 16 was just one of many stargazing events the pub plans to hold throughout the year.

Pub owner Carrol Armstrong said: “We wanted to encourage local families to come along and learn a bit more about our dark skies, especially as so many children received telescopes for Christmas.

“The children loved it and were asking lots of questions. The atmosphere was lovely and it was a really social event.

“Although it was cloudy on the night, many of those who attended are lucky enough to live in and around Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, so they can now go and put their new-found knowledge to use.”

The night combined an hour-long illustrated presentation followed by a guided sky watch.

Amateur astronomer and outreach educator Stuart Atkinson gave the presentation.

He took along some meteorites, much to the amazement of the children.

There was a piece of the Chelyabinsk meteorite, which famously came down over Russia in 2013, and a piece of Moldavite Tektite, which is said to have decorated the hilt of the sword Excalibur.

It was no surprise that a piece of fossilised dinosaur poo went down well with the children.

The next stargazing events, devoted to Jupiter, the moon and stars, will be held on March 18 and 19.