Solar eclipse LIVE: Last-minute scramble for specialist glasses as millions in London to watch historic event

Londoners are scrambling to get their hands on specialist glasses to watch the most significant solar eclipse in a generation.Queues have snaked around shops and stalls at locations including Old Spitalfields Market, Bond Street, Wimbledon, Arsenal and Greenwich in the hunt for a pair of specialist glasses.The Standard will be providing a live stream of the eclipse. Follow our live blog for the latest solar eclipse updates...'Counterfeit glasses can cause damage to the eyes', eye doctors warnConsumers have been warned against using “knock-off” glasses to watch the event and eye doctors urged people to avoid looking directly at the sun, with even brief exposure causing lasting vision damage.Only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection should be used to view the eclipse and sunglasses are not sufficient, experts said.Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse.Around 40% had looked at it for less than a minute.Students from Saint Ursula's Covent Secondary School in Greenwich pose for a photograph wearing protective glasses at the Royal Observatory Greenwich GettyLondoners scramble to get solar eclipse glasses ahead of the rare eventThe solar eclipse has sent Londoners into a frenzy this week, as thousands of people have tried to get their hands on a pair of specialised glasses to watch the solar eclipse. Hundreds of people queued at Old Spitalfields Market yesterday to get a pair, with other known locations in Wimbledon, Greenwich, Arsenal and Bond Street.But, the glasses are selling out fast and locations are popping up and disappearing quickly. Some individuals are selling glasses online, but be wary, as they might be counterfeit. You must use specialist solar eclipse glasses that are explicitly certified to meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. We’ll keep you updated with any known locations selling glasses today. The queue to purchase solar eclipse glasses in Old Spitalfields MarketAFP/GettyMajor retailers sell out of specialist glasses Specialist glasses have sold out at major retailers as Brits prepare for the best solar eclipse in decades.More than 90% of the sun will be obscured by the moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm on Wednesday, the most it has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999.Convenience stores, national parks and the Royal Greenwich Observatory have all exhausted their glasses supplies ahead of the eclipse, which will be the country’s fullest for the next 54 years.The Royal Greenwich Observatory said it had sold approximately 15,000 pairs of eclipse glasses – a sellout – in the last month.Pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses as a customer stands at the checkout AFP/GettyWhere can I watch the solar eclipse in London?London’s hills and open spaces will be the best places to watch the solar eclipse on Wednesday evening.The eclipse will begin at 6.17pm and the height of the eclipse is expected at 7.13pm. From London, it will last around 1 hour and 49 minutes until 8.06pm.Here is a list of some of the best vantage points in the capital.When is the solar eclipse happening today?Londoners are preparing for a rare partial solar eclipse today, with the moon set to cover around 90 to 91% of the sun.The eclipse will begin at 6.17pm, reaching its maximum at 7.12pm, before coming to an end at 8.06pm.As this is not a total eclipse, the sky will not turn completely dark. Instead, London is expected to fall into an unusual twilight, with the light taking on the appearance of an overcast day.There may also be a sudden drop in temperature and changes in wind conditions as the eclipse reaches its peak.Follow our live blog for all the latest updates as London watches the eclipse unfold.Stargazers will be hoping for a view of the partial solar eclipse on WednesdayPA Archive