The North West Cancer Research Fund (NWCRF) is backing a bid to ban sunbeds in gyms and spas across the region.

The charity is offering its support to a campaign which aims to encourage all gyms and spas to ban sunbeds.

Anne Jackson, chief executive of NWCRF said: "We are challenging gyms and spas across the North West to remember that they are in the health business and offering the use of sunbeds is a complete contradiction in terms.

"Commercial operations can take a stand against skin cancer and remain true to their mission as providers of health and fitness facilities by banning sunbeds across the board.

"We are encouraging gyms and spas across the north west to sign up to our campaign and join the battle against skin cancer."

NWCRF is currently funding two projects relating to skin cancer - one looking at the link between UVA rays and skin cancer and the other a study on the metastasis of malignant melanoma.

According to NWCRF, it's own research shows that the risk of cancerous melanomas is increased by 75 per cent when the use of tanning devices starts before 30 years of age.

Stephanie McDonnell, spa manager at The Club and Spa at Hoole Hall, one of the facilities that has removed all sunbeds and has joined the campaign, said: "How can we condone the use of sunbeds when they've been proven to dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer?

"We urge other health clubs and spas across the North West to ban the use of sunbeds and we're delighted that North West Cancer Research Fund has taken up the campaign to encourage the rest of the region to follow."