Photographs appeared on social media of the phenomenon, caused by a period of heavy rain while the sun was still shining. 

The unusual rainbow was visible for miles with people in Brighton, Peacehaven and Saltdean all posting pictures online.

One resident said that he felt like the rainbow was a "thank you to the NHS".

Charlie Flores told The Argus he was at the marina yesterday when he saw the rainbow cast over the docked boats.

 He said: “I looked out and saw the most stunning rainbow over the water I’ve ever seen. 

“I posted on Facebook and people in Hollingbury, Saltdean, Peacehaven, Whitehawk, Woodingdean and more sent pictures back.

“I think it was a thank you to the NHS from everyone at this time.”

According to the Met Office, double rainbows are formed when sunlight is reflected twice within a raindrop, with the violet light that reaches the observer's eye coming from the higher raindrops, and the red light from lower raindrops.

The secondary rainbow is also dispersed over a wider area of the sky, making it almost twice as wide as the primary bow.

The photos proved popular on Facebook with people describing the rainbow was “magical” and “beautiful”.