AN expert based in the North-East has come up with a simple guide to avoid potentially dangerous sunburn.

Too many people are not putting on enough sunscreen - about a third of the amount needed - before sunbathing, says Professor Brian Diffey of Newcastle University. Yet skin cancer is one of the world's most common cancers and malignant melanoma claims 1,500 British lives a year.

Now Prof Diffey has got together with New Zealand GP Dr Steve Taylor to suggest a way of reducing risk.

In today's British Medical Journal, Prof Diffey writes: "Sunscreen can be applied to the recommended thickness if two strips of sunscreen are squeezed out on to both the index and middle fingers from the palm to the fingertips. This amount of sunscreen is needed on each area of the body, ie each arm, upper chest, thigh, shoulders, lower back."

Because most people would be put off by this amount, Prof Diffey suggests applying one finger of sunscreen on each section of the body and then reapplying the same amount half an hour later.