A bad year for the noses as hay fever levels peak

UNUSUALLY high levels of pollen are bringing misery this summer to more than 20 million Britons who suffer from hay fever.

The Met Office said that pollen levels – in particular grass pollen, which affects 95 per cent of sufferers – will peak tomorrow and on Monday. London, the South East, the East of England, East Midlands and the South West will be particularly badly hit.

Record numbers of people are affected by hay fever, with allergic rhinitis affecting up to 30 per cent of adults and 40 per cent of children.

Yolanda Clewlow, manager of the UK pollen network at the Met Office, said: “We urge anyone that suffers from hay fever and asthma to check our pollen forecast or download our mobile app to receive notifications when pollen levels are at their highest.”