Pizza Express is giving away thousands of pizzas completely free today

If you see mobs of people in black and white stripes crowded outside of a Pizza Express today, don't be alarmed.

You'd be forgiven for thinking it's a coach load of referees taking a pit stop for a spot of lunch or some sort of mime convention, but it's actually just a load of Brits taking advantage of the restaurant chain's latest promotion.

Pizza Express are dishing out thousands of free pizza's today (9 February) to people who play by the rules and 'earn their stripes' by replicating the uniform their army of staff wears to mark National Pizza Day.

Waiting staff and kitchen whizzes who work for the firm have apparently been donning the monochrome outfits since 1965, so they want the general public to feel like part of the family too by sporting their 'favourite striped top'.

Go on, start rifling through your wardrobe now before it's too late.

Those who take part in the pizza promotion will get their hands on a classic, vegan or gluten-free Margherita without having to reach their hands in their pockets.

Instagram/@pizzaexpress

Pizza Express wrote in an Instagram post: "We've got over 14,000 of them to give away, but you'll need to be quick, as once they're gone they're gone. Tell your friends, they won't want to miss this!"

I can imagine that group chat's across the country are already buzzing with cheesy pizza talk.

Pizza Express branches throughout the UK have been doling them out all day on a first-come, first-served basis, so you've got to be quick to get your hands on one.

Staff will hand you one of the ‘National Pizza Day’ promotion tokens, but the only stipulation is you have to have to be seated in a restaurant by 4pm today - or until stocks last - to qualify.

And of course, you need to be wearing your best black and white attire - and this means everyone at the table...you can't just nominate your pal to wear a stripy get up and still expect to get a free Margherita for nothing.

Pizza Express

There is no minimum spend required though, you just have to physically visit a Pizza Express restaurant as the offer cannot be claimed with a takeaway order.

The pizza chain's CEO, Paula MacKenzie, said: "This National Pizza Day sees us pay homage to our incredible pizza chefs, through celebrating our iconic black and white stripes.

"Stripes have played a huge part in our identity, dating back to 1965, so don your stripes and celebrate National Pizza Day with the original Margherita pizza, for free!"

Those who do end up splashing out on sides while enjoying a costless lunch can also earn a pizza stamp on the 'Pizza Express Club' app today for a chance to win a trip to Italy.