Hay fever sufferers could be in for a long week, with the pollen count set to soar in Hertfordshire over the next five days.

The Met Office has warned the pollen count will be very high across most of the UK from today through to Friday.

The warm weather this week, with temperatures set to be as high as 28°, has exacerbated the problem, with the Met Office saying "Grass pollen will rise in warm, dry weather. Nettle, dock and plantain pollen will too."

A warning has also been issued to people who suffer from respiratory conditions, with research from Asthma + Lung UK showing that pollen is a trigger for 47 per cent of people with asthma.

This can lead symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, a tight chest and breathlessness, with asthma sufferers urged to keep their inhaler on them at all times, even when at home, in case a flair up occurs.

Speaking to Sky News, Erika Radford, the organisation's head of health advice said: "When pollen particles are breathed in, they can cause inflammation in the airways and get into the lungs, making it harder for those with lung conditions to breathe. This can be terrifying."