Thai locals are hunting for seasonal delicacy red ant eggs to cook into omelettes.

Villagers poke for red ant nests in gardens and forests so they can enjoy the bizarre food while temperatures are cooler in the winter in Phayao province, northern Thailand.

They use long bamboo poles tied to straw bags and stick them inside nests on top of trees to search for prized treats.

After harvesting enough, they cook them into a curry dish and red ant egg omelette.

Villager Ao Sriban said: ‘At this time, red ants will begin to build nests. The size of the red ant eggs will be large as it starts hatching, so we are in a hurry to find them.

‘We can cook a variety of dishes from them. They are health, too.'

If the villagers find a lot of eggs, they share them with their neighbours and sell the dish together for extra income.

Red ant eggs become expensive during the colder season since they are harder to find.