The NHS has told hay fever sufferers to wear a large hat, masks and wrap-around sunglasses to fight off the pollen.

Some 13 million people suffering from the allergy have been advised how best to stave off hay fever this spring.

The NHS website says those experiencing symptoms should “wear wrap-around sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes”.

It also says to “put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen”.

The guidance also advises taking a “shower and changing your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off”, as well as “keeping windows and doors shut as much as possible”, “vacuuming regularly and dust with a damp cloth” and “to try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in your vacuum cleaner”.