Most people have to look up to the heavens, but a rare view of the Northern Lights was enjoyed by passengers on a plane flying above the clouds.

The spectacular lights of the Aurora Borealis lit up the sky on Saturday night, giving a unique perspective of the celestial phenomenon to people on a flight from Gatwick to just off the coast of the Shetland Isles. The red, yellow and green lights were clearly visible, shining and dazzling above and beyond the clouds.

The flight was chartered by Aerobility, a charity that gives people with disability the chance to fly. After departure the cabin lights were turned off to help the passengers’ eyes adjust to the night sky.

Newly invented slang words spreading fast

Hundreds of newly invented slang words have been uncovered by linguistic researchers.

Experts have found that slang is flourishing across all social groups, including 57 words for a remote control such as blabber, zapper, melly and dawicki. The prevalence of slang has been put down to the global domination of the English language and its exposure to foreign influences.

Tony Thorne, author of the Dictionary of Contemporary Slang, told The Sunday Times: “Once associated with enclosed communities such as the prison, the army barracks, the factory floor and the older public schools, more recently slang has escaped its boundaries and is running wild.”

Troops of toast soldiers raise army funds

An army of 1,000 identical toast soldiers has been deployed to raise funds for a military charity.

The tasty troops were designed using bespoke toast-cutters so they are the ideal size for dipping into boiled eggs.

Inspired by China’s Terracotta Army, they were created by Eggs For Soldiers which donates 15p from every box of six eggs sold. The toast army marks the egg brand’s annual fundraising event March Fourth for the Help for Heroes charity which supports wounded troops.

Collins, 80, ‘will still wear bikini’

Joan Collins may be 80 but when it comes to fashion she “won’t be defined by age” and will wear a bikini if she wants to.

The former Dynasty actress also said that before the days of quality make-up and “tricks”, Hollywood stars depended on good lighting in order to look beautiful.

“I won’t be defined by age. I’ll wear a leather skirt – even a bikini – if I want to. Clothes are my passion and I adore them.

“Some people today consider style, elegance and being well dressed and groomed as a frivolous waste of time, but not me,” she told the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine.

The octogenarian said it takes her half an hour to put on “a full face with lashes”.

Floating police station for a flood of crime

The South American country of Guyana is preparing to launch its first floating police station to target a spike in crime in mining areas near rivers.

National Security Minister Clement Rohee says police are slowly rebuilding their marine section and are seeking to boost the number of officers stationed in the country’s interior. Authorities say murders and armed robberies have increased as a result of a gold boom.

Police said that crews are finishing work on the 70ft vessel and that it will soon be deployed.