A bizarre cloud formation has been likened to an "angel coming to collect someone".
The odd phenomenon appeared in the skies above Wirral last night and sparked interest after Angela Cavell posted her snaps on social media.
Posting in a private group on Facebook, she said: "Took this photo of the sky at 9pm and I really have never seen anything like it.
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"Can anyone enlighten me and tell me what type of cloud this is please? Stunning."
One immediately connected a spiritual meaning to the pictures and said: "Looks like an angel coming to collect someone."
Others felt it reminded them of Puff the Magic Dragon and complimented Angela on capturing the "amazing" pictures.
One said: "No idea Angela but amazing pics! The yellow brick road comes to mind though! Lol x"
Another said: "They look awesome! Not seen one like this for a long time though."
Others suggested it was a contrail from an aircraft that was dispersing in an odd pattern
But there were also some more specific suggestions with many saying it was a 'funnel cloud'.
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According to the Met Office a funnel cloud is a cone-shaped cloud which extends from the base of a cloud towards the ground without actually reaching the surface.
They said: "In the UK they often look like thin dangling bits of rope, hanging from the cloud above.
"But in hotspots such as tornado alley in the USA, funnel clouds can sometimes be thicker and much more intense."
They are formed when a rotating column of wind draws in cloud droplets, making a region of intense low pressure visible.
The Met Office said: "They are formed in the same way as a tornado building around this localised area of intensely low pressure and are typically associated with the formation of cumulonimbus thunderclouds.
"Cumulonimbus clouds are almost always the host cloud from which tuba form, meaning that heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning can all be expected.
"If a funnel cloud does make contact with the ground and produce a tornado, very strong winds can be expected in the immediate vicinity of the vortex potentially causing severe damage."
