A million petals were released into the London night sky to highlight the problems faced by ‘insneezia’ sufferers.

A survey has found 70 per cent of hayfever sufferers in London have ‘insneezia’ – a term used for the insomnia-esque impact of night-time symptoms caused by pollen falling at the end of the day as the air cools.

Sufferers say that on a typical summer night in the capital, they miss out on 65 minutes of sleep – equating to being kept awake for more than four days across the months of June to August.

Boots Pharmaceuticals released the symbolic flurry of multi-coloured petals into the air as the clock struck 8pm at St Christopher’s Place in the West End.

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Boots UK pharmacist Angela Chalmers said: “Over the last week pollen levels across the UK have really stepped up and hayfever sufferers may have noticed an impact on their symptoms – and our research has shown night-time hayfever is having an effect too.

“Treating hayfever effectively is not just about managing it during the day, finding a treatment that works for you and taking the right steps before your head hits the pillow can help to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.”