UP TO 30 ships were sheltering off the coast at Teignmouth in a bid to avoid storms and high winds.

The large number of vessels were clearly visible at night along the horizon as they waited for clearer weather.

Many of the vessels, which include cargo ships, were understood to be heading for Spain.

Keen onlookers were following the Marine Traffic website and other ship tracking apps which show maps and locations of individual named vessels.

Some of the best views were from Labrador Bay.

Crews were said to be sheltering from stormy and rough seas in the Atlantic while waiting for a weather ‘window’ to continue their onward journey.

Torbay is regularly used as an anchoring spot for shipping traffic as it provides a natural and protective harbour against storms.

The current shipping traffic sheltering there is a larger number than usual.

Many commented on social media that there were more ships than had previously been seen off Teignmouth.

They were also visible off the coast of Torbay and Babbacombe and from Berry Head at Brixham.