UPDATE: |Met Office issues red alert in EIGHT areas of England this weekend – full list News

Forecasters have warned of a ‘very high’ pollen count affecting a large part of the country

The Met Office has warned that pollen levels will be ‘very high’ in eight regions of the UK this weekend.

Forecasters have issued red alerts for pollen across much of the country as the warmer weather brings the start of the hay fever season for many.

Hay fever affects more than 10 million people in the UK and can lead to unpleasant symptoms during the spring and summer months. Forecasters are warning sufferers that they may see their symptoms worsen this weekend due to the high pollen count.

Eight out of nine regions in England will see the highest pollen alert level on Saturday, April 12. The north east is the only region of England where pollen levels will be amber, or ‘high’.

In central and southern Scotland, pollen levels will also be ‘high’, while in the very north of the country pollen levels will be ‘low’.

By Sunday, pollen levels are predicted to drop in northern areas, but red ‘very high’ levels will remain in five areas in the south of England and the Midlands.

When pollen levels are high, people who suffer from a pollen allergy – known as hay fever – may see their symptoms get worse. When the fine powder-like substance is inhaled it triggers antibodies that create mucus and can lead to symptoms such as congestion and sneezing.

Other hay fever symptoms include a runny nose, itchy eyes and an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.

The arrival of spring can be an unpleasant time for hay fever sufferers as symptoms start to creep in. With the UK enjoying warmer than average weather in recent days, many people are already noticing the effects.

On sunny days, the pollen count is highest in the early evening and that’s when you are most likely to suffer from hay fever symptoms, according to the Met Office.

This week, some areas of the UK could see temperatures soar as high as 24C, according to the latest forecasts. Temperatures are expected to peak on Friday in London and the south east, which could make it the hottest day of the year so far.

Dan Stroud, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The average for this time of year is around 13C, so it’s going to be about 10C above average on Friday. We’ve got high pressure at the moment which effectively acts like a force field. It actually keeps fronts and clouds largely at bay and keeps conditions settled and dry underneath the area of high pressure.”

Full list of areas with ‘very high’ pollen levels on Saturday

• North west England
• Yorkshire and Humber
• Wales
• West Midlands
• East Midlands
• East of England
• London and the south east
• South west England

Full list of areas with ‘very high’ pollen levels on Sunday