Gloucestershire in pictures: Stunning skies and exams

Northern Lights over Rurdean Hill in the Forest of Dean. The sky is a mixture of purple and light green
People in Gloucestershire got to see the incredible Northern Lights this week [Matt Stead]

The week in Gloucestershire began with a chance to see the Northern Lights and the Perseids meteor shower on the same night.

There were those lucky enough to spot both, and some who managed to capture the sights on camera.

Matt Stead was able to photograph the stunning colours of the aurora borealis from over Ruardean Hill.

There were also some colourful sunrises and pretty sunsets this week - and you can see some photographs below.

Students collecting their A Level results at All Saints Academy in Cheltenham. Three young woman stand alongside each other, all of them holding a brown A4 envelope
[BBC]

Also this week, students have been collecting their A levels right across the county. Sofia Raza, Shannon Cairns and Zornitsa Nacheva collected theirs from All Saints Academy in Cheltenham (above).

At Pate's Grammar School (below), more than a third of the grades awarded were A*, while 92% achieved A* to B grades.

The sun peeks through under Nutshell Bridge on the canal in Stonehouse, near Stroud, Gloucestershire. It is reflected in the water
[Wayne Clutterbuck]

Wayne Clutterbuck captured the evening sun peeking through Nutshill Bridge in Stonehouse in this beautiful picture.

A giant storm overflow tank at Ebley in Gloucestershire. It is a round structure made of concrete and is sunk into the ground
[Severn Trent]

And along the road at Ebley, a huge underground water tank was opened. It has been made to protect residents from flooding and sewage spills going into rivers in Stroud.

It is the largest of its kind in the UK and can hold 7,400m3 of water - the equivalent of three Olympic-sized swimming pools.

People inside Gloucester Services look at products on display. They are carrying baskets and shopping bags, and a large fresh bread display is visible in the foreground
[BBC]

Gloucestershire Services is celebrating 10 years during 2024 and now has a cult following. Up to 3p in every pound of non-fuel sales at the services is reinvested in local community projects.

A sunrise is pictured over houseboats on water in Tewkesbury. The sky is a mixture of red and orange and is reflected in the water, which also has ducks sitting on it
[Patricia Christie]

Tewkesbury's Patricia Christie captured a stunning sunrise on Thursday.

She said: "The ducks outdid themselves this morning, with the swifts and seagulls joining in.

"There was even an owl hooting!"

More Gloucestershire pictures