STARGAZERS in Essex will have their fingers crossed for clear skies tonight ahead of the Perseid meteor shower. 

And astronomers predict there could be twice as many meteors as usual this year. 

The dazzling display of shooting stars occurs as the Earth ploughs through a dense cloud of comet debris.

The shooting stars are due to peak on Friday morning with up to 200 meteors streaking across the sky every hour.

I've never heard of a Perseid meteor shower before...

The Perseids are small pieces of the Swift-Tuttle comet that can be seen every year when the Earth passes through a cloud of the comet's debris.

The meteors appear to come from a point in the constellation of Perseus, hence the name Perseid.

Experts say they hit the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 134,000 mph but don't pose any danger to us on Earth.

When and where can I see it?

The shower of shooting stars will hit its peak overnight between tonight, Thursday, and tomorrow, Friday, but if you're lucky you could see it any night this week.

You don't need special technology to watch the Perseids unfold, just head for a wide open space away from tall buildings or trees and with as little light as possible.

Then allow around 20 minutes for your eyes to become accustomed to the dark.

Unfrotunately, the forecast for Essex looks overcast this evening but the cloud is set to clear by 9pm.

Should I set my alarm?

Possibly. The best times to head outside are around midnight and just before dawn on August 12.