A pollen bomb has hit Merseyside with hayfever sufferers expected to face days of misery.
The Met Office has warned that levels of pollen will be 'very high' today and towards the back end of the week.
Maps produced by the Met Office show the North West, North East and East Midlands have been hit with the highest level of pollen, whereas in Scotland and Northern Ireland, pollen will be low there.
Merseyside has been battered with wind and torrential rain for much of June so far - with the month on track to be the wettest on record.
However, today the weather is far brighter and drier with blue skies and even periods of sun forecast.
But it is understood that the improvement in weather has made for a perfect storm of pollen causing the increase in levels.
And now hayfever and asthma sufferers are being warned to be aware of high levels of grass pollen, which could cause misery for millions.
Symptoms of the condition include sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes.
The NHS states: " Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions. It's estimated that there are more than 10 million people with hay fever in England.
"You can get hay fever at any age, although it usually begins in childhood or during the teenage years. It's more common in boys than girls. In adults, men and women are equally affected.
"You're more likely to develop hay fever if you have a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema ."
Wearing wraparound sunglasses, changing clothes and showering after being inside, staying indoors when the pollen count is high and applying Vaseline to your nose are all tips experts say can help.
