Spectacular stormy weather struck at the same time as a firework display to mark the end of a regatta on the Yorkshire coast to light up the night sky.

Photographer David Kirtlan captured the moment the lightning coincided with the fireworks over Whitby harbour after the town's annual regatta.

The firework display, which marked the end of the three-day event on Monday evening, was under threat due to the weather.

Thick mist over the harbour had earlier forced the cancellation of a planned display by the Red Arrows.

Spectacular stormy weather struck at the same time as a firework display to mark the end of a regatta on the Yorkshire coast to light up the night sky. Photographer David Kirtlan captured the moment the lightning coincided with the fireworks over Whitby harbour after the town's annual regatta.

But as crowds gathered in the town for the display, they were rewarded with the spectacular night sky.

Photographer David Kirtlan, who captured the moment on his Canon R6, said: "Lots of the races were cancelled and the Red Arrows display was cancelled.

"The firework display was touch and go, but the rain held off. When the fireworks were going off, I just kept taking photographs and caught the moment the lightning struck.

"How often do you get lightning and a firework display together? The weather has made things both difficult and amazing at the same time."

The event, which began in 1847, is one of the oldest sea regattas on the North East coast.

Whitby Regatta: Spectacular scenes as lightning strikes during firework display