More than 80% of the sun in Surrey and north-east Hampshire is expected to be obscured when Friday's (March 20) solar eclipse reaches its peak.

As people brace themselves for a rare chance to witness the natural phenomenon, details of the percentage of sunlight in different parts of the UK have been estimated.

The incredible event, the first viewable from the UK since 1999, will begin at around 7.40am as the moon begins to cover the sun.

The minimum period of sunlight will occur at around 9.30am, but the eclipse is set to last until just after 11am.

At 9.31am, the sunlight in Surrey and north-east Hampshire is predicted to be just 84%.

Predicting what will happen, astro-physics expert Mark Geiles, from the University of Surrey in Guildford, said: "Gradually it will get darker and darker with the minimum period of light at around 9.30am.

"The general effect will be like a very dark cloud covering the sun.

"If you really want to see what is actually happening, then you need to use special filtered glasses."

The full 100% total solar eclipse will only be possible to witness in Svalbard in northern Norway and the Faroe Islands.

However, if you want to travel to another part of the UK to experience more of the eclipse, then Scotland is the ideal location.

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Solar eclipse 2015: Surrey and north-east Hampshire set for 84% darkness in peak period