Hay fever may get worse due to climate change, says Met Office

Warning comes as 12 areas of UK put on red alert for ‘very high’ pollen levels

Very high pollen levels and hot weather are conspiring to bring discomfort to hay fever sufferers across the country, with the Met Office saying climate change could make pollen seasons longer and more extreme.

Weekly visitors to the site’s hay-fever advice pages have tripled in the past five weeks, according to NHS England, with 27,834 visits in 24 hours on Sunday – one every three seconds. On Friday, the Met Office put 12 areas of the UK, covering England, Wales and most of Scotland, on red alert for “very high” pollen levels.