HAVING a cheeky gin and tonic could be the answer to lessening the effects of hayfever new research shows.

According to Asthma UK, vodka and gin could ease the debilitating effects of hayfever.

But beer and wine can worsen symptoms.

It can increase the symptoms because of sulphites - during the fermentation process sulphites are added to preserve the alcohol.

Vodka and gin are distilled and therefore are a lot lower in sulphite count, making them the better option.

Actor, writer and presenter Stephen Fry finds Champagne can lead to symptoms.

He said: “I have to make sure that I avoid too much champagne because it triggers my asthma symptoms.

"Champagne can leave a lot of people feeling poorly the next day, but for me it is far more serious because it could trigger a potentially fatal asthma attack."

Clear spirits like gin and vodka have a low histamine content and therefore are the best choice in the next couple of months.