THE Welsh government is to ban under-18s from using sunbeds in a move campaigners hope will be introduced across the UK.

The Northern Echo launched its Sunbed Safety campaign last year, after a Darlington schoolgirl was hospitalised after spending nearly 20 minutes under lamps at her local salon.

It calls for under-18s to be banned from using tanning facilities in solariums.

The campaign has received high-profile backing from former health secretary Alan Milburn MP and Darlingtonbased business magnate Duncan Bannatyne.

The Scottish Parliament is to introduce the law next month – and the Welsh Assembly will now follow suit.

Edwina Hart, the country’s health minister, said yesterday she was convinced the unregulated use of sunbeds was a public health problem.

“I am particularly concerned about the use of sunbeds by people under the age of 18 and by the use of coin-operated sunbeds,” she said.

“It is my intention to prohibit the use of sunbeds by persons under 18 and also to ban the operation of unstaffed sunbed salons in Wales.”

Darlington schoolgirl Katie Turner needed emergency treatment after she being severely burned after 20 minutes under lamps at a local salon.

Her mother, Elizabeth, said: “Katie was burnt red raw. She was in agony and could hardly stand. She should never have been allowed to use a sunbed for so long. The Government needs to clamp down on this quickly.”

The influential government Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, and the Health and Safety Executive have both called for a change in the law, but there are no plans in place for new legislation.