A combination of hot and humid weather preceded by heavy rainfall provide near perfect conditions for grass to grow, causing a high production of grass pollen, which accounts for 95% of hay fever sufferers in the UK.

From March to May, tree pollen is the most common cause for hay fever. From May to July, it’s grass and flower pollen and from late autumn, it’s weed pollen, late-flowering plants and mould spores.

High pollution in cities can aggravate the situation, as pollen grain particles mixed with diesel exhaust fumes go deep into the airways, making hay fever no easier than for allergy sufferers living in the country side.

It may seem trivial to many but, for millions of us, the symptoms of hay fever are certainly not to be sneezed at | This is Derbyshire.