A near-total eclipse of the sun looked set to thrill millions tomorrow - but depending on luck and the fickle British weather, the people of south east London and north Kent could be disappointed.

The moon moves in front of the sun at around 9.30am, with 84 per cent of its surface covered across News Shopper's patch.

However at that time cloud is likely throughout the region.

And no one can predict when there might be a curtain-raising break in the cloud.

On the bright side, it is not unknown for a fleeting break in cloud to occur during an eclipse as the atmosphere cools.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: "Forecasting exactly where cloud will break and reform is really not scientifically possible. 

"But it's not as thick in the south as further north, so you're more likely to see breaks in the cloud the further south you are."

5 eclipse facts

1. Despite the cloud, the event is expected to have a significant impact on the National Grid, with a predicted loss of 850 megawatts of solar power from the electricity supply network.

2. Around the UK the proportion of the sun covered by the moon will increase towards the north, ranging from 84 per cent in London to 97 per cent in Lerwick in the Shetland Isles.

The video above features Dr Lucie Green, solar physicist at UCL, talking about the eclipse and how to view it safely

3. Times will also vary. In London, the eclipse begins at 8.24am, reaches its maximum extent at 9.31am, and ends at 10.41am. 

4. The last solar eclipse of such significance occurred on August 11 1999, and was 'total' - with 100% of the Sun covered - when seen from Cornwall.

5. Another 'deep' partial eclipse visible in the UK will not occur until August 12, 2026, and the next total eclipse not until September 2090.

Eclipse warnings

Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), said the eclipse may be memorable for the wrong reasons if people fail to heed the numerous warnings from experts not to look directly at the sun.

He said: "Unlike every other eclipse of any size, this one takes place right in the middle of the rush hour.

"It's not the best time from a safety point of view.

"A partial eclipse is more risky by far than a total eclipse because people don't realise that even looking at a thin sliver of sun is dangerous.

"It's absolutely true that there is a serious risk to people's eyesight.

"If people can't find a way to view the eclipse correctly then they shouldn't look because they're likely to damage their eyes."

Together with the SPA, the Royal Astronomical Society has produced a booklet on how to view the eclipse safely.

Popular methods involve projecting an image from a telescope or binoculars on to a piece of white card, using a mirror to cast the image on to a wall, or making a pin-hole viewer from pieces of card or a cereal box that acts like a lens.

Eclipse events

Two organised events are planned in London, where members of the public will have the chance to view the eclipse using specialist equipment.

One is taking place at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, assisted by the Flamsteed Astronomy Society.

The other being hosted in Regents Park by the Royal Astronomical Society and a group of amateur sky-watchers called the Baker Street Irregular Astronomers.