The UK is about to see its most spectacular solar eclipse for the next 54 years on Wednesday – and experts have suggested an unusual way of seeing it.

A kitchen colander could be key to watching the event, they say. But there are plenty of more conventional ways to see it safely, too.

More than 90 per cent of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm on August 12, marking the most substantial celestial alignment visible over British skies since the total eclipse of 1999. The maximum point of coverage is anticipated around 7.13pm.

However, the Royal Greenwich Observatory has issued a stark warning to the public, emphasising that standard sunglasses offer insufficient protection for viewing the rare cosmic event.

Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the observatory, highlighted the rarity of the occasion to the Press Association. "It’s not a total eclipse, but over 90% is really exciting. We’re not going to get one this good for a really long time," she said.

Ms Bell stressed the critical importance of preparation and eye safety. "So it’s important not to miss it, and to be prepared. You can’t just go out and expect to have a look because it’s really dangerous for your eyes."

She advised using specialised solar eclipse glasses, which are distinctly different from sunglasses, as they block out an immense amount of light to protect against harmful rays. Alternatively, a solar telescope offers an excellent viewing experience, or individuals can check for local astronomy society events.

For those without specialist equipment, Ms Bell offered a creative household solution: "And if all else fails, you can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in – point the colander towards the Sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow of the colander you’ll be able to see the eclipse in the holes, which is really cool."

The next time the Moon will obscure such a large portion of the Sun will not be until 2081, with the next total solar eclipse in the UK projected for 2090.

To best experience the phenomenon, Ms Bell recommended finding a vantage point facing west with minimal obstructions. "We might notice the sky getting a little bit dark, so if you’re looking safely, it’ll look a bit like the Moon is taking a bite out of the Sun, you’ll see something that looks a bit like a crescent Sun."

She added: "It’ll be a nice, long event which is really exciting. The Sun’s going to be really quite close to the horizon because it will be setting at that point towards the western horizon. So it’s really important that viewers from the UK find a good view of the western horizon and make sure their view of the Sun isn’t blocked by any buildings or hills."

The Met Office indicated it is too early to pinpoint areas with the clearest skies, though its long-term forecast suggests more changeable conditions with showers and stronger winds in the north, while parts of the south may experience warm and dry weather.

Meanwhile, cities including Reykjavik in Iceland and Spanish locations such as A Coruna, Oviedo, Zaragoza, Bilbao, and Valencia will experience a total eclipse on Wednesday, where the Moon will completely obscure the Sun.