Swarms of flying ants have been seen across Sussex today.

The creatures have been reported across the county this afternoon, including in Brighton's Grove Hill and Portslade.

The phenomenon, known as “flying ant day", normally happens in July or August every year.

It usually coincides with a period of hot and humid weather, which is when the queen ants and males tend to leave the nest.

People have taken to social media after seeing the swarms.

"Who on the council do I need to complain to about the flying ants?" a Portslade resident joked this evening.

"Was never like this under the Tories."

The Natural History Museum reports that flying ants are “mature queens and males of the black garden ant”, and they can be up to 15mm long.

It added: “This annual swarming event usually occurs in July or August and coincides with a period of hot and humid weather. Winged ants appear at different times around the country and local weather conditions are critical for the coordination of swarming activity.

“Ants tend to fly earlier in urban areas than rural areas, probably because temperatures are generally warmer in urban environments, known as the urban heat island effect.”

People have warned that too many of the ants can be dangerous to seagulls which eat them as the ants contain formic acid, which causes seagulls to become “drunk” when consumed in large amounts.

East Sussex WRAS said today: "Lots of flying ants around. Please be careful as some birds eat them and become disoriented due to the toxins ants carry. 

"We are already getting inundated with road casualty gulls. 

"Please be cautious."