AS Britain looks forward to the first ‘BBQ weekend’ of the year, Cancer Research UK is advising people, particularly those with fair skin, to enjoy the sun safely, be SunSmart and take steps to avoid getting sunburn.

Temperature predictions for the weekend are expected to remain unseasonably warm for April, with parts of Britain hotter than the Mediterranean.

Caroline Cerny, SunSmart campaign manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “A sunny weekend is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the weather, particularly as some sun is good for us. However, before heading out to relax in the garden, taking a trip to the beach, or even just walking about town, think about your skin and the steps you can take to cut your chances of getting sunburn.

“Enjoy the sun safely – relax in the shade, cover up with hats and loose clothing, and use at least factor 15 sunscreen with a four or five star rating to protect your skin from sunburn. As well as being painful and unattractive, sunburn is a sign of skin damage that can increase your risk of skin cancer.”

Now in its ninth year, Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign is encouraging people to enjoy the sun safely and avoid sunburn by offering advice on how best to protect against too much ultraviolet radiation (UV) which as well as being the major cause of skin cancer, also leads to premature ageing of the skin. Sunburn is a sign the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged and even though the redness will fade, the damage could remain and lead to serious problems in later life, including the most dangerous form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma.

To find out more on how to enjoy the sun safely, skin cancer and what to look out for, visit Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart website at www.sunsmart.org.uk.