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More than 20 million people could suffer hay fever this summer as unusually high levels of pollen sweep across the UK.

Grass pollen, which is the worst culprit for causing symptoms and affects 95% of sufferers, is to reach its peak.

The Met Office warned pollen levels have been unusually high in recent weeks and are to be high tomorrow and Monday, with England worst hit, particularly London, the South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the South West.

The NHS has joined the Met Office to work on research to help identify the grass pollen types that cause the most allergies, to help sufferers manage their condition.

Record numbers of people are suffering from hay fever, with allergic rhinitis the most common form of noninfectious rhinitis, affecting up to 30% of adults and as many as 40% of children.

Grass is the most common cause of hay fever in the UK and there are more than 150 species in the UK.

A survey of 2,000 hay fever sufferers by the Met Office revealed 41% suffer so badly it ruins their whole summer. But 57% of sufferers did not know what type of pollen affects them, meaning they are not armed with the know-how to help combat their grass allergy.

Many are exacerbating their symptoms unnecessarily, as 35% said they frequently hang washing out to dry in the summer, unaware pollen sticks to the clothes.

A further 40% said they leave their windows open to cool their home in the summer, which lets pollen inside.

Yolanda Clewlow, manager of the UK pollen network at the Met Office, said: “We aim to help inform hay fever and asthma sufferers and empower them in managing their symptoms more effectively. We urge anyone that suffers from hay fever and asthma to check our pollen forecast or to download our simple-to-use mobile app to receive notifications when pollen levels are at their highest.”

Grass pollen is to reach its peak.