Southampton General Hospital is appealing to pregnant women to help complete an eighteen-month-long study into the cause of allergies such as eczema and asthma.

Tests being carried out on an arm.

Researchers are working on the theory that avoiding eggs during pregnancy may reduce the chance of children developing allergies in later life.

They're looking for 45 women who're less than 18 weeks pregnant to join the study.

Any volunteers would be requested to embark on the specially devised Maternal Egg Avoidance Diet.

Professor of Child Health, John Warner, says there's been a dramatic rise the number of people suffering from allergies.