Pollen levels will be “very high” across the majority of the UK this week, the Met Office has warned.

       It follows two weeks of high levels of “particularly potent” pollen, causing difficulties for hayfever sufferers.

       The forecaster said Tuesday: “We are in the peak of the grass pollen season and levels are very high across the majority of the country today and tomorrow.”

       Pollen levels across the UK on Tuesday

       (Met Office )

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       Pollen levels across the UK on Wednesday showing increased levels in Northern Ireland

       (Met Office)

       Hot weather is largely behind increased pollen levels across the UK as the release of grass pollen - which the vast majority of hay fever sufferers are allergic to - in full swing.

       Yolanda Clewlow, relationship manager for health and air quality at the Met Office, said that pollen grains may be more “potent” this year due to the weather Britain has seen in the past couple of months, which could be exacerbating symptoms.

       “The potency of these pollen grains could be more intense this year, and that comes down to the weather we’ve had in spring,” she said.

       “A warm and wet May, coupled with a relatively warm spring, means there’s a chance that the pollen that has developed is particularly potent, even if the amounts aren’t dramatically different.”

       Pollen levels are particularly high across all of England on Tuesday with lower levels in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, from Wednesday, Northern Ireland can also expect to see very high levels of pollen.

       Warm weather across the south east particularly will persist this week, the Met Office said with highs of 25C on Tuesday and a further push to 28C on Wednesday.

       High pollen count has been forecast for the UK this week

       (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

       Last month Asthma and Lung UK has warned that there are more than three million people with conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are at risk of attacks or flare-ups due to rising pollen levels.

       “When pollen levels are at their highest this can be deadly for those with lung conditions like asthma who can suffer serious symptoms and have life-threatening attacks,” said Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for Asthma and Lung UK.

       “We also advise people to carry their reliever inhalers every day, especially when they are out and about enjoying the sunshine in case pollen does cause a flare-up of their symptoms.

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       “Reliever inhalers quickly relax the muscles in the airways and ease symptoms immediately. The third thing people can do is to use a steroid nasal spray every day, together with non-drowsy antihistamine tablets to help stop the allergic reaction.

       “People should also check pollen and air pollution forecasts in their local area, so they can avoid going outdoors as much as possible on high pollen days.”