The number of children who could end up in hospital with life-threatening asthma attacks risks soaring as youngsters return to school, a charity is warning.

Figures reveal a 300% increase in children being hospitalised for asthma in September compared to the previous month, says Asthma and Lung UK, which is urging parents to protect their offspring from a 'perfect storm' as they go back to classrooms in the coming days.

A combination of factors including children being exposed to more triggers at school alongside falling out of the routine of taking daily preventer inhalers during the holidays mean that young airways can be less protected and more likely to become quickly inflamed if they come into contact with something or develop a virus.

Analysis by the charity of the most recent figures available from NHS Digital, which are for 2018 prior to the pandemic, confirm that 435 youngsters were hospitalised with asthma in August that year, soaring to 1,795 weeks later when they returned to school.

More than a million children in the UK are currently recorded as living with asthma and every 2.5 minutes a child has a potentially life threatening attack says the charity.

Asthma and Lung UK, which funds research into lung conditions, campaigns for better diagnosis and access to treatment and campaigns for clean air, says parents of children with asthma should keep a close eye on them over the coming weeks as routines are re-established.

Warning signs that a child's asthma symptoms may be getting worse could include coughing and wheezing at night, breathlessness, complaints of stomach or chest pain or needing a reliever inhaler three or more times a week.

Emma Rubach, Head of Health Advice at the organisation, said returning to school should be an exciting time but it will expose children with the condition to more risk.

She explained: "Colds and flu viruses and dust mites are some of the biggest culprits. Some children may fall out of their usual preventer inhaler routines over the summer break which can leave them much more vulnerable to an asthma attack. The best thing parents can do is to prevent their children having an asthma attack is to ensure they take their preventer inhaler (usually brown) every day as prescribed. This helps calm the inflammation in their airways and reduces the risk of an asthma attack.

"We would encourage parents to ensure that their child has their reliever inhaler (usually blue) and spacer at school to use if they have asthma symptoms and ensure their child has a yearly review with their GP or asthma nurse. This should include a check to ensure they are using their inhaler properly, and have a written asthma action plan."

The #AskAboutAsthma Campaign, run by NHS England - London and focuses on the importance of children getting support with their asthma management, particularly at a time when there is a rise in asthma attacks when they return to school.

Dr Oliver Anglin, Clinical Director of Children and Young People Transformation for NHS England said: "It’s really worrying that children’s asthma symptoms can flare up when they return to school.

"This is why we’re now six years into the #AskAboutAsthma campaign which aims to raise the profile of asthma and to highlight key ways in which children, young people and their families can manage their asthma and live full and unrestricted lives, without the risk of ending up in hospital."