Isn't it supposed to be a sign of good luck? Group of boys give seagulls laxatives then stand back to watch the results

Some say it is good luck, but in this case fortune played no part in what happened to a crowd of innocent Americans during their day out at the beach.

This video shows a group of boys pulling a prank involving a flock of hungry seagulls, crisps - and laxatives.

The results? Less than delightful.

Prank: The group of boys prepare the tray of crisps and laxatives

Glee: One of the boys are smiling at the camera at the prospect of the results of their practical joke

In the video, filmed with a mobile phone, a group of young boys are huddled over a tray of crisps where they are adding laxatives to what looks like some form of dip.

The lads mix the sticky substance and the crisps and turn around to give the crowd on the beach an unwelcome surprise.

The esplanade is full of revellers enjoying the seafront, people on roller-skates and families with picnic blankets.

The tray is placed on the beach and then kicked over before the boys run away to safety

Stage two of the prank begins ass the hungry seagulls tuck in

After the feast: With their stomachs filled with crisps and laxatives the seagulls take off

The boys grab their tray of prepped crisps and throw them at the seagulls before running for cover.

They film the not-so-clean results as nature kicks in within seconds and although it’s meant to bring fortune, the gulls’ victim’s don’t look like they believe in the saying.

Most of them turn to the skies with confused looks on their faces and others 

A long-haired man looks up at the sky with a confused face trying to locate the source

Dash for safety: A young woman grabs her purse and her red blanket to hide from the roaming birds

Concerned parents are lifting up their child as they themselves are targeted by the birds

Two women who have spread out their blanket on the grass nearby quickly gather their things and run for cover.

The video has gone viral with thousands of views on YouTube and comments in equal measures of appreciation and disgust.

Not even the police can escape: An officer on a quad-bike is seen driving away from the scene