HAY fever sufferers in Worcester are being sought to help take part in a study.

The University of Worcester is conducting a trial during the winter to find out if light applied to the inside of the nose can prevent the symptoms of hay fever.

Evidence shows that this can reduce the allergic response.

The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at the University of Worcester is running a research project into the effectiveness of the Lloyds Allergy Reliever SN-206 (registered as a Class IIA medical device).

It is a device with lights that is inserted into the nostrils for about three minutes, three times a day for two weeks.

The remedy has no known side effects.

The trial requires 100 adult hay fever sufferers who would be willing to use the device in their own homes for two weeks during the autumn or winter, and then visit the unit once for about five hours for a pollen challenge test. Travel expenses will be paid.

The study is a double blind placebo controlled trial, which means that half of the volunteers will use the real device and the other half will use a device that looks the same but which is not emitting the correct sort of light.

Volunteers from the area are being sought to take part in this study.

If you or someone you know is interested in taking part in the project and are aged 18 years or more, call 01905 855200 or email pollen@worc.ac.uk and an information pack will be posted to you.