The season of itchy eyes and throats, running noses and sneezing is upon us as The Met Office has issued the first pollen warning of the year.

The Met Office has warned that the East of England will experience high levels of pollen this week.

The high pollen warning will continue through to Saturday, April 8, other than a drop to medium count on Thursday, April 6.

The most prevalent is tree pollen containing birch, hornbeam, willow and ash.

Pollen is an extremely fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycle which is spread by insects and the wind.

It causes irritation and inflammation in the two in 10 people who are allergic to it.

The pollen forecast combines Met Office weather data with data from the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit to produce a five-day forecast.