A MASSIVE cloud of black flies invaded Morecambe - sending shoppers scuttling for cover, writes Rachel Ryan.

Millions of sand flies spread their wings and swarmed full force onto the promenade, attacking pavements, shop windows and people.

The bugs, which make an appearance in the resort every year, returned on Sunday with a vengeance. And now the city council’s pest control team are on the case to find out more.

“The flies came in swarms from nowhere,” says Andrea Taylor, owner of Petals on Marine Road Central. “Within minutes our shop window was full and all the shops on the promenade were covered in them, both inside and out. We could not see outside because there were so many of them. It was horrifying.” “Kids were crying in terror because the flies were landing all over them. They were going into people’s mouths and we could see passers-by trying desperately to spit them out. It was terrible,” adds the florist.

People were wafting their arms to swat the bugs but it did no good because they kept coming in hordes.

Her husband Terry hot-footed it to buy a beaded curtain in an attempt to keep the bugs out while staff at hotels up and down the promenade had to take action as the swarm neared - shutting doors and windows to prevent the bugs from invading.

Pest control manager Susan Clowes says not much is known about the sand flies, only that they may be related to the mosquito or midge family.

“It’s a phenomenon that happens every year but this year there have been far more flies than normal, which could be down to the high temperatures.

“But we have been made curious and will send samples off to a laboratory to find out more about the flies and precautions that can be taken,” she adds.