BUDDING astrologers were out in force to witness a once in a lifetime phenomenon.

Venus was visible for about six hours on Tuesday morning as the planet could be seen as a black dot passing in front of the sun, blocking the light.

Those lucky enough to see the planet in transit were the first to do so since December 6, 1882.

Ian Phelps, of Longford Street, took the day off work to view the spectacle.

He runs the planetary section of the Society for Popular Astronomy, a national organisation, and has been a keen astronomer since childhood.

He watched the event from his back garden using hand-held viewers and two telescopes.

He said: "I had a few people around and passers-by were even taking an interest and coming in to see for themselves. Nobody who saw it last time is alive now, so it really is a once in a lifetime experience, like seeing it for the fist time all over again."

The rare passage is not expected to take place here again until 2247.