A TOP TV doc called at a Dudley school to warn pupils about the link between asthma and allergies.

Dr Hilary Jones is heading a campaign called Best To Test which aims to raise awareness and improve diagnosis of asthma in young people.

On October 1 Dr Jones, along with Emma Wileman, founder of Haydn’s Wish, visited Holly Hall Academy, Scotts Green Close.

Haydn’s Wish is a charity set up in memory of Emma’s son who died aged nine due to anaphylactic shock caused by the combination of asthma and an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Dr Jones said: “Best To Test is urging parents, particularly of children with asthma, to seek help for tiny changes in their child’s symptoms, from patches of eczema to the onset of hay fever, which could indicate they’re at risk of developing a food allergy.

“We also want to make teachers and pupils more aware so they can seek help and advice. “If you have a food allergy, you are four times more likely to have asthma.”

Asthma causes one death every eight hour in the UK where there are 5.4 million sufferers of the condition.

Emma Wileman added: “We knew Haydn was severe asthmatic, but the peanut allergy came completely out of the blue. I, as a parent, had no idea what allergies were about and certainly didn’t realise the potential severity of them.

“As far as we are aware nothing could’ve been done to save Haydn after the reaction had happened, however, it doesn’t mean we can’t use his story to raise awareness and save others.”

For more information visit www.haydns-wish.co.uk.