London eclipse: Stunning timelapse video shows how capital was plunged into darkness

This timelapse video shot from a west London rooftop shows the capital was plunged into near darkness during today's solar eclipse.

Cloudy skies left many unable to see the eclipse, but the capital still experienced a moment of darkness caused by the spectacle.

Halfway through the film, recorded in High Street Kensington, west London, the London skyline dramatically becomes more gloomy and tall buildings almost disappear.

Seconds later it gradually shows light flooding back to the capital.

In London the eclipse began at 8.24am and reached its peak at 9.31am, when the sun was 85 per cent obscured by the moon.