There will be a chance to watch the transit of Mercury across the Sun when a group of astronomers set up their telescopes on Lowestoft seafront on Monday.

Lowestoft and Yarmouth Regional Astronomers (LYRA) will be on Royal Green between noon and 4.30pm offering people a chance to witness the astronomical event through their specialised scopes.

LYRA chairman Steve Hubbard said: 'Mercury is much closer to the Sun than we are. You can see it go right the way across the sun.'

He urged people to come along to the event but warned of the dangers of observing the sun without specialist equipment.

He said: 'The more people that can come and look the better. But I must stress that people should not look at the Sun through ordinary telescopes or binoculars. You can go blind instantly. People should only use a telescope designed for looking at the sun.'

LYRA meets at the Parkhill Hotel in Oulton on every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings often feature a speaker and include an opportunity for stargazing in the hotel's dark overflow carpark.

Anyone interested in joining the group can attend one of the meetings or visit www.lyra-asto.co.uk.