SOCIAL media was abuzz with photographs of a stunning pink and purple sunset in Wales on Thursday evening - including here in North Wales.

Photographer Richard Bates shared a picture of the eerie purple haze above the Marble Church in Bodelwyddan.

People also reported the sky turning pink and purple as far south as Cardiff.

Speculation on social media included a potential alien invasion.

In reality, it isn't an extraordinary sight but rather a little uncommon.

BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway said: "Due to the low angle of the sun’s rays at sunset, pink wavelengths light up the bottom of the cloud.

"The combination of pink and dark blue can make the sky look purple."

Meanwhile, at the same time, residents in Llandudno described the sky as being "strangely yellow".