HAY fever sufferers may be reaching for the tissues and antihistamines as high levels of birch tree pollen are expected.

Experts at University of Worcester's National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU) said they expect the levels of birch tree pollen to be quite high but the season should not last too long.

Generally, the birch pollen season will run through April into early May and the grass pollen season from late May through to August.

Most hay fever sufferers are affected by grass pollen but, unfortunately it is too early to predict how high the levels will be in Worcester this summer.

Beverley Adams-Groom, chief palynologist at the university's NPARU, said: "Last summer was particularly bad for tree pollen – one of the worse we’ve ever seen in Worcester since records began - which is what we’re dealing with at the moment.

"The birch tree pollen season kicked off last week and we’re expecting that to go quite high, but it’s late in the season for birch trees, so it’s not going to be a terribly long season this year.

"The grass pollen is what affects the majority of people, and we’ve had bad years for grass pollen two summers in a row, due to the nice weather.

"However, we don’t yet know how it’s going to play out this year.

"It’s very difficult to predict because it’s very much based on what happens with the weather in late April and early May and, as we all know, that can be very unpredictable.

"You need the right conditions over the winter and the spring for the trees and the grasses to produce the pollen, and then of course you’ve got to have the right weather in season for the levels to go high."

For those suffering with the symptoms which includes sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, she suggested people visited their doctors.

"I always recommend that people who think that they’re suffering from hayfever go and get a diagnosis from their doctor.

"If they’re suffering very badly, the doctor can help to find out what the allergens actually are and possibly send them to an allergy specialist."