Experts have predicted more of us than ever will suffer from itchy eyes and streaming noses this summer as pollen counts reach record levels.

The warm, wet spring encouraged grass to grow and produce lots of pollen.

And a hot, dry summer is predicted, which will allow continued growth and ideal conditions for pollen to move about more freely.

Professor Jean Emberlin, of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit in Worcester, said: "We have had one of the warmest springs ever and it has rained a lot so the grass has grown really well.

"Counts are already very high in lots of areas and the weather is predicted this week to be rather dry and warm. So if the weather continues along those lines it could help pollen counts rise very high.

"On June 2, in West Yorkshire, the pollen count was 128 grains per cubic metre and anything over 50 is considered to be high enough to trigger allergic reactions.

"It is going to get a lot higher but it is very high already."

Telegraph & Argus columnist Dr Tom Smith, agreed weather patterns do have an effect on pollen counts but said that, so far, this year was no different to last.

He said: "The records for prescriptions for hay fever tablets are exactly the same as last year - no higher or lower.

"April was a very sunny month though May wasn't as good but it has started up again now."

He said hay fever is not only affected by grass pollen but starts in April with birch tree pollen in the air and can end in September with the spread of fungal spores.

"We now know that when you cut grass you release from the cut stalks something called coumarins and a few people react to that with hay fever like symptoms," he said.

"It is probably a good idea, if you have somebody in the family with fairly serious hay fever, to keep them away from where grass is being cut.

"It is worth noting, however, that there are a lot of good medicines out there which can stop symptoms - although we no longer like giving people the injected vaccine, only when the conditions affect a person's life."

James Currie, of the Bradford Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: "At the back end of last week we saw an increase in demand for hay fever prescriptions.

"The weather has been quite varied so the pollen count has been quite low but we stock up on hay fever medication every year.

"The fact is, more and more people do have allergies and particularly pollen allergies - perhaps it is something to do with the lives we lead nowadays."