Amateur photographer Karim Bouchetata took incredible pictures of snow covering the sand in the small Saharan desert town of Ain Sefra, Algeria, yesterday afternoon.

He captured the amazing moment snow fell on the red sand dunes in the world's largest hot desert for the first time in 37 years.

Snow was last seen in Ain Sefra on February 18, 1979, when the snow storm lasted just half an hour.

This time the snow stayed for a day in the town, which is around 1000 metres above sea level and surrounded by the Atlas Mountains.

Karim said: "Everyone was stunned to see snow falling in the dessert, it is such a rare occurrence. 

"It looked amazing as the snow settled on the sand and made a great set of photos.