Monday night at around midnight will be the best time to watch the Perseids meteor shower and weather forecasters say conditions to spot them are likely to be very good.

The peak of this year’s show will feature up to 85 shooting stars per hour, considerably more than last year and the sky is likely to be virtually cloud free, according to weather bureau KNMI.

In addition, the moon will set below the horizon shortly after 11.00 pm and so will cause minimal light pollution, making them even easier to spot. The best display will be around 3.45 am.

The Perseids, associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle, can be seen every year around August 13. They take their name from the point they appear to originate, in the constellation of Perseus.