Pollen being blown in from Europe is causing havoc for hay fever sufferers and motorists.

A mysterious yellow dust has been covering cars across the district and the Met Office suspects it is pollen being blown from Europe.

Weather experts think it has been caused by a wet April and a sunny start to May which have combined to produce record levels of birch pollen in Denmark.

This, coupled with a large number of seasonal fires in Russia and industrial pollutants, has been blown over the North Sea and is falling on people's cars.

Brian Tuxford, of NorthWay Vehicle Sales, said the vehicles on his forecourt in Baildon have been covered by a thick film for the last few days.

"We weren't sure what it was at first but a thick film of dust has covered most of the vehicles," said Mr Tuxford.

A high pollen count has been recorded in Bradford and hay fever sufferers have been warned to expect severe symptoms.

"There is no danger from the pollen but it could cause complications for people who suffer from hay fever," said a Met Office spokesman.

"New record counts were recorded at reporting stations in Russia and Denmark, beating the existing high count recorded in 1993.

"The explosion of birch pollen in Denmark this year has been caused by near-perfect weather conditions over the last few weeks.

"A late start to the pollen season, a wet April followed by a warm, sunny early May have combined to see birch catkins releasing an enormous amount of pollen grains over just a few days."

Mohammed Ijaz, a pharmacist at Rimmington's Chemist in Bridge Street, Bradford, said they had noticed a surge in the sale of treatments for hay fever.

"We usually start to get a surge in sales of hay fever treatments around this time of year, so it's difficult to say whether this has been boosted by high pollen counts caused by the winds.

"But a lot of people having been coming in over the last week to buy their nasal sprays and anti-histamine treatments."

e-mail: jennifer.sugden@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

SUFFERERS SPEAK

Angela Harrison, 49, of Bingley, who suffers with bad hay fever as does her 11-month-old granddaughter Ellie Storey - "It's really bad at the moment, I have been looking everywhere for the brand of anti-histamine I use but everywhere has sold out. My granddaughter is suffering a lot too."

Andrew Roberts, 29, of Bierley, Bradford, who cannot cut grass because his hay fever is so bad - "I am taking tablets to get it under control because I noticed it was starting to get quite bad recently."

Alwyn Vanhaazel, 33, a lecturer at Bradford College usually has an injection to stop his hay fever - "I am trying a different tack this year with anti-histamine tablets because the injections contain steroids."

Ginny Bayliss, 30, from Silsden, takes anti-histamine tablets all year round - "The only way I can keep it under control is by taking the tablets all year. I also take them to help with my eczema."

TIPS FOR PREVENTION
  • Keep windows and doors shut in the house.
  • Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas.
  • Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors.
  • Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes.
  • Keep car windows closed, and consider buying a pollen filter for your car.
  • Keep fresh flowers out of the house.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Keep furry pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pets do come indoors, wash them regularly to remove any pollen from their fur.