Mystery over unusual 'orange glow' in night sky above Greater Manchester

There's a strange orange glow in the night sky, but nobody is quite sure what it is or where it is coming from.

There's been widespread speculation as to its origin, with witnesses taking to social media to give their verdicts both tongue-in-cheek and reasoned.

One photograph obtained by the Manchester Evening News shows a column of light producing an almost halo-like effect in the sky above.

Reddit users have shared images referencing an area north of Manchester near Winter Hill. They have claimed it is visible most nights - and have described an 'orange sky'.

Other users on the platform have shared views of the lit-up sky from Wigan and referenced an area above Bolton.

"Does anyone have any idea what's causing these lights over towards/past Winter Hill. Every night particularly on overcast nights (view from Wigan). Can't think what could be causing so much light pollution," posted one Reddit user.

"Bolton has been renamed as Mordor and Winter Hill is now Mount Doom," replied another.

Suggestions have been put forward, with the most common claiming the lights are possibly coming from the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Horwich, Bolton, the home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club that used to be known as the Reebok Stadium.

"North of Manchester winter hill on the right. What is causing this light in the sky?" questioned another.

There have also been claims the strange lights can be seen from as far away as Barton Bridge on the M60 motorway. "I can see it too. Dying to know what it is," read another post.

Other posts have suggested it's 'heat lamps' at Wanderers' stadium, or lights based at the Middlebrook area nearby.