A North-East cancer expert has issued a warning about the harmful effects of sunlight.

Dr Mark Birch-Machin, an internationally renowned expert on skin cancer, says there is no such thing as a safe tan.

While he doesn't want to be a spoilsport after the dark days of winter, Dr Birch-Machin is urging everyone take greater care in the sun.

He is backing the Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign which points out that thousands more Britons than Australians die from malignant melanoma despite the fact that more cases of this most deadly form of skin cancer are diagnosed Down Under.

Dr Birch-Machin, a senior lecturer at Newcastle University and a Cancer Research UK skin cancer expert, said: "SunSmart highlights the need to protect your skin DNA from the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays in sunlight. A build up of this DNA damage over a course of time may lead to a skin cancer time bomb.

"Remember, there is no such thing as safe tan unless it comes out of a bottle. It is important to consider that when the sunburn fades, the DNA damage remains. In addition, it is now known that doses of sunlight which are too low to cause sunburn, will however cause the type of DNA damage which may lead to skin cancer."

Although Australia has one-third the population of the UK, it has more cases of malignant melanoma. Each year, 1,600 people die from the disease in Britain compared to 1,000 people in Australia.

SunSmart urges everyone to stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, avoid burns and cover up with a T-shirt, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Use factor 15 plus sunscreen and report changes in moles or other unusual skin growths promptly to your GP.