HAY fever last week struggled with their symptoms across the region as pollen levels here were among the highest in the country.

The pollen count spanning the length and breadth of the North East and North Yorkshire were classed as 'high' and 'very high' for three days in a row.

Read more: 5 ways hay fever sufferers manage their symptoms in the North East 

Those who normally felt mild effects of hay fever complained of particularly bad symptoms, while regular sufferers branded last week as unbearable.

The Met Office had said high levels of grass pollen and warmer weather had contributed to symptoms as a forecast was released. 

But what is the picture looking like for the week ahead? 

The Met Office has now updated its pollen forecast for the region and it's generally good news for hay fever sufferers.

The five-day picture, which goes right up to the weekend, effectively shows what sufferers can expect and helps inform them on whether extra care is needed.

Updated at around 2.21am on Tuesday, the forecast is refreshed daily and could potentially change as unpredicted weather changes take place.

But so far in the region, the pollen levels are expected to be among the lowest in the country this week with all five days leading to, and including, Saturday 'low.'

The five-day pollen forecast for the North East and North Yorkshire:

Tuesday (Today)- Low

Wednesday - Low

Thursday - Low

Friday - Low

Saturday - Low

This is in contrast to some parts of the UK where pollen levels are 'high' across the week, including the whole of Wales and parts of Mid-Scotland.

A statement on the Met Office forecast said: "The pollen count monitoring network combines Met Office weather data with expertise from organisations such as the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit to produce pollen forecasts for 5 days ahead across the whole of the UK."

How you take steps to prevent symptoms from worsening

Luckily, there are several ways sufferers can help prevent hay fever from worsening no matter what the pollen levels are.

They are:

- put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen

- wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes

- shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off

- stay indoors whenever possible

- keep windows and doors shut as much as possible

- vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

- buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter