Swarms of flying ants have been seen across Sussex tonight.

The creatures have been reported across the county today from Seaford all the way to Worthing.

In Brighton city centre, people have been batting the creatures away.

Hundreds of flying ants are lining the pavement up North Street in Brighton.

The Argus: A swarm of flying ants seen in Seaford yesterdayA swarm of flying ants seen in Seaford yesterday (Image: Rory Clarke)

The phenomenon, known as “flying ant day", normally happens in July every year but is believed to have been delayed due to the rainy weather last month.

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.

One woman tweeted: “It’s flying ant day in Brighton. The first day I have enough energy to go outside for a little walk and they are everywhere. Now I am inside I can't stop itching.”

Another person said: “The entire of Brighton and Hove is swarming with flying ants and I’m freaking out.”

One person claimed they were “three weeks late” following the heavy rain in July.

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.”

A swarm of flying ants a mile long was picked up on a weather radar in early July near Brighton.

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.