Millions of hay fever sufferers have been warned of a week-long pollen bomb across much of the UK this week.
The damp weather in June has meant a delay to the pollen season, which is now about to hit.
Pollen levels are predicted to be very high all week, meaning the constant threat of itchy eyes and noses for sufferers.
Dr Beverley Adams-Groom of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit told the Daily Mail: ‘The weather in most of June was pretty poor which meant quite a lot of pollen was washed away by the rain.
‘But the past week or so has been nicer so we’ve started to see high or very high counts again.
‘While normally we’d be past the main peak by now we’ve had something of a delayed pollen season this year.
‘With last year’s hot, dry conditions, grass was dry and exhausted by the start of July.
‘Instead this year’s wet June means it’s still growing so pollen is still being expelled, meaning it will be a longer season this year.’
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The Met Office has predicted very high pollen levels across all of England on Tuesday, except the north east.
It also warns of very high pollen levels across all of Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to see medium levels, with only Orkney and Shetland set to escape the pollen bomb .
The picture remains largely unchanged for much of July.
There are an estimated six million hay fever sufferers in the UK, who are plagued every summer by symptoms including itchy eyes, runny noses, headaches and sneezing.
Experts say 95 per cent of hay fever sufferers are irritated by grass pollen, with birch, oak, plane tree and nettles also a common source of allergic reactions.
Hay fever in asthma sufferers can also trigger a potentially life-threatening attack.
Allergy UK has advised that people take antihistamines when pollen levels are high and windows and doors should be closed.
People should also avoid drying clothes outdoors.
The Met Office has said it will get hotter throughout the week and should be a warm weekend.
Temperatures on Tuesday will hit a high of 23C in the south east in the afternoon.
The mercury will hover around 20C in the midlands and is set to be a few degrees cooler further north.
By Wednesday, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 24C and could even get to 27C on Thursday.
