PART of an oil refinery's operations lit up the night sky in a display of colour on Monday night.

Standard chief photographer Rick Matthews captured images of the flare at the Essar Oil UK refinery at Stanlow, Ellesmere Port.

But there was no need for anyone passing by to be concerned.

Refinery head of communications Ian Cotton said: "The flare at Stanlow is the result of the start-up of one of our units following the turnaround.

"It is part of the normal start up process and is not a cause for concern."