PLANS to use undercover test purchase operations to protect youngsters from the dangers of sunbeds have been approved by councillors.

Durham County Council’s cabinet backed proposals to use under-age volunteers in test purchases at tanning salons, at a meeting at County Hall, Durham, yesterday.

The authority is thought to be the first in the region to adopt the tactic, more commonly used to catch retailers selling alcohol and cigarettes to children.

The powers were made available under legislation introduced following a two-year campaign by The Northern Echo to ban under-18s from using sunbeds.

The Sunbed Safety campaign was launched when a 15-year-old Darlington girl was hospitalised after spending more than 20 minutes on a sunbed.

Council officers will test up to 50 County Durham premises this year.

Councillor Claire Vasey, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said it was a very important move.

The council will also carry out test purchases of knives and gambling.

Councillor Bob Young, the council’s cabinet member for strategic environment and leisure, said: “We’ve all been frustrated over the past few years when we’ve been criticised by the public for not taking much action against young people carrying knives.

“We suffer every day with the sale of knives to children. We would prevent that with these powers.”