Friday's solar eclipse promises to be spectacular as the moon blocks the sunlight from earth - that is if the clouds roll away for long enough.

It is set to begin at about 8.24am and the whole thing will last about two hours.

The last time we had such a solar eclipse was on August 11, 1999 - a total eclipse in the run-up to the Millenium - although it was only partially visible in the UK.

The Royal Observatory is describing it as a "near total" eclipse with 84.7 percent of the sun obscured at 9.31am.

The next total eclipse visible in the UK will be on September 23, 2090.

Peter Hutton, the chairman of the Croydon Astronomical Society, promised a "scary and eerie feeling".

He said: "It is quite a dark eclipse even though is it not a full eclipse. People are going to notice a dimming of the sky.

"In the previous partial eclipse when the sky went dark all the birds thought it was dusk and gave the chorus and then it went totally quiet.

"It is something that doesn't come around that often. You'd be lucky to see four eclipses during your lifetime."

Mr Hutton, a 50-year-old former bank manager from Streatham, planned to watch the eclipse from the Kenley Observatory.

He said: "I dabbled for years when it was very expensive but all of a sudden all this equipment became available that professionals were using years ago.

"I think go somewhere that's quiet and peaceful when you can get your view and see what's happening.

"We are astronomers. We are always worried about the weather. Even if we get some clouds it will still make it an event.

"There is the possibility of seeing Jupiter but you need to know exactly where to look."

But take care of your eyes and do not wear 3D glasses, sunglasses, welder's visors - anything apart from professional solar eclipse, or face ending up blinded, he warned.

More on the Croydon Astronomical Society.

CORRECTION: This article was amended to make clear that the eclipse on Friday will be only partial from UK soil, described as a 'near total' eclipse by the Royal Observatory.

The nearest place from the UK to see a total eclipse would be the Faroe Islands.

The next partial eclipse visible from the UK will be in 2026.

Where are you planning to watch Friday's eclipse and how? Do you have a NASA sized observatory in your back garden?

Let us know the most weird and wonderful places in south London and north Surrey by emailing dlindsell@london.newsquest.co.uk