A father who braved the cold winter night to go star-gazing was thrilled when he managed to snap a photo of Jupiter.

Simon Jesse, from Farthing Close in Braintree, captured the planet and it’s four largest moons on Wednesday.

Mr Jesse, 44, said: “I’m very fortunate as the back garden has a great view of the night sky due to the open area of the Lyons Hall Primary School playing field.

“It’s the first ever time I have captured a planet on camera, my daughter had a telescope for Christmas but lately she has been finding it too cold to go outside.

“At about 9.30pm I braved the weather and what I saw was absolutely fantastic.

“I was really pleased with how it came out. I have certainly got the photography bug and will be trying to capture other planets, especially Saturn.”

According to a star-gazing app on Mr Jesse’s phone, Jupiter is currently the only planet visible at this time of night.