At 11 minutes past 11 all eyes turned skywards. So began the Echo's report of the 1999 eclipse- but despite weeks of hype and hundreds of people turning out to line the beaches and clifftops, cloud cover meant that most of Dorset's residents didn't really see very much.

The only part of the UK to see totality - the full blacking out of the sun by the moon - was Cornwall, but cloudy skies meant spectators there were unable to see the full effect either. 

In France and Germany a torrential downpour spoiled the view for many, and in Pakistan and Bangladesh it was too cloudy to see. 

Bournemouth Echo:

Gallery: the eclipse that wasn't: all our pictures from 1999

In Swanage and Portland, patchy cloud meant there was the odd glimpse of the sun as the moon passed over. 

eclipse sun portland bill dorset uk 1999 august 11th from donliddard on Vimeo.

In Bournemouth, street lights came on and the temperature dropped as the eclipse progressed. but no-one could actually see very much.

We wrote: "The sun may not have been visible, special viewing glasses unnecessary, but the effects of the eclipse were still awe-inspiring. 

"As the colour drained from the skies the yachts on the horizon, manned by keen eclipse-spotters, appeared like ghosts.

"The Needles lighthouse off the Isle of Wight shone red through the darkness and the flashes of hundreds of cameras lit the cliffs as spectators attempted to capture the magical moment. The atmosphere in town was eerie, like the calm before the storm.

"After 72  years of waiting, the wonder was over in less than three minutes."

What are your memories of the 1999 solar eclipse? Let us know in the comments!