Social media users have shared their delight after spotting the “unbelievable” moment a “halo” could be seen around the moon.

Hexham Courant: A beautiful pic of the moon near Twiced BrewedA beautiful pic of the moon near Twiced Brewed (Image: Wil Cheung)

The phenomenon is caused by the refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the upper atmosphere.

Hexham Courant: Halo moon pic in HaltwhistleHalo moon pic in Haltwhistle (Image: Adrian Leadbitter)

Speaking about the sight, the Met office said: "When a ring appears around the Moon or Sun, sometimes referred to as haloes, this suggests rainfall may be approaching. The halo is caused by ice crystals formed in high clouds. These ice crystals then refract the light from the Moon or Sun. As the ice crystals travel lower, precipitation becomes more likely.

Hexham Courant: Halo spotted above Priestlands, HexhamHalo spotted above Priestlands, Hexham (Image: Lou Martin)

"In summer months particularly, the Halo can be a sign of approaching storms.

"A ring appearing around the Moon or Sun may also be a result of a 'corona'. Where the formation of a halo is due to light refraction, a corona is formed from light being diffracted. As the light travels through the cloud, it is deflected around the water droplets. This causes a corona which appears as a circle around the light source,