A cloud of flying ants that hit the south coast on Wednesday was so dense it could be seen in satellite images from space.

The swarm of insects hit the counties of Hampshire, West Sussex and Dorset and were captured on the Met Office's radar. They were also spotted in East Sussex and Kent.

The weather was perfect for ants to move into the "nuptial flight" phase of their reproduction, also known as "flying ant day" - where virgin queen ants are followed by male ants hoping to mate.

As the queen sets off, she emits pheromones that attract the males.

But when they follow her she will flee, meaning only the strongest are able to keep up and mate with her.

The process helps to make sure her offspring are as fit as they can be.

A Met Office spokesperson said the ants showed up on their image as a showers of rain because "the radar thinks the beams are hitting raindrops not ants".