The people of south east London and north Kent are bracing themselves for a solar eclipse this morning.

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

However at that time there will be heavy cloud throughout the region - with no one able to predict when there might be a curtain-raising break in the cloud.

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

Some last minute safety tips:

The eclipse may be memorable for the wrong reasons if people fail to heed numerous warnings from experts not to look directly at the sun.

Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA), 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."

Safe ways of viewing the eclipse include 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.

And, if you a driving, don't forget you may need to switch on dipped headlights during the eclipse.

For more information, click here.

Where will you be viewing the eclipse? Send in your eclipse photos and stories to patrickgg@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01689 885 711. Please make sure any photos are taken safely.