Pollen alert for hayfever sufferers

HAYFEVER sufferers are being warned to expect an uncomfortable few days as pollen levels are particuarly high across France this coming week.

Air monitoring watchdog RNSA says people allergic to birch and ash tree pollen will have the toughest time and should take treatments as prescribed by their doctor.

Northern France will be the worst-affected, from Normandy down towards Strasbourg and parts of the Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes.

In the south, and especially the Rhône valley, plane tree pollen is at high levels.

Hayfever has been a growing problem in France over the past 20 years and it is estimated that almost a third of people have some sort of allergy to pollen.

The RNSA publishes weekly stats giving an indication of pollen levels in each region of France - and the type of plant causing it.

The research is based on a nationwide network of air quality sensors. You can see the results for your area here.