HAY fever sufferers were advised yesterday to prepare for the highest pollen count in living memory.

A combination of wet and warm weather in the past few weeks has provided ideal conditions for the grasses that make early summer a misery for the 12 million people in Britain who suffer from hay fever.

Pollination has been slightly delayed by the recent rain but the country’s 150 species of grass are expected to create high pollen counts next month.

Jean Emberlin, director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, said that pollen counts could exceed last year’s record highs. “We are expecting it to be worse than average and as severe as last year — possibly be a bit worse,” Professor Emberlin said. “We are expecting exceedingly good conditions for dispersal.”

Pollen counts of 50 grains per cubic metre are considered high, but last year levels of more than 900 grains were recorded. Next month’s count could exceed 1,000 grains.

The worst-affected areas are likely to be in the Midlands — last year’s highest count was recorded in Derby. Other regions are relieved by the coastline. Residents in the South West are usually the first to suffer because warmer temperatures allow plants to mature earlier than in northern regions.

The number of allergy sufferers has been rising steadily over the past century. Recent studies have suggested that people living in urban areas suffer more than those in rural areas because pollen combines with pollutants to become even more allergenic. Research has indicated that climate change is having an effect on the severity of attacks. Long periods of hot and dry weather cause plants to produce more protein, which makes the pollen more allergenic.

Graham Archard, vice-president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said that GPs were prepared for an influx of patients. “If we have a very high pollen count, more people will be affected,” Dr Archard said. “Pharmacists will be stocking up.”

Boots the chemist said: “It’s going to be a grim summer for hay fever sufferers but not bad for the people who produce antihistamines.”.

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