A CRICKETER turned out to spread the word to children about the dangers of exposure to the sun.

Callum Thorp visited children at Skerne Park Primary School, in Darlington, to talk about the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays.

The star showed off his skills on the pitch after explaining how he protects himself against the sun by using sunblock and hats.

The Durham star, who comes from Australia, highlighted the importance of remembering to "slip on a T-shirt, slap on a hat and slop on some sun cream".

He said: "As a cricketer, I spend a lot of time outside, so it is very important that we wear our hats and suncream on our arms, faces and ears."

Darlington dermatologist Tim Cunliffe said: "On a warm day in England, it only takes 15 minutes without protection to get burned, which will increase the chances of skin cancer.

"If we teach children young, it means that they have longer to protect themselves.

"We know that sunburn is a particular childhood risk."

He said more young people were now using sunbeds, which can damage the skin and increase the chances of skin cancer and wrinkling.

Skerne Park primary headteacher Diana Teasdale said: "It is so important for the children to learn about skin protection. The first sunny weekend we get, we always have the children coming back to school on Monday red-raw.

"They need to understand that it is lovely to be out on a nice, sunny day, but you need to put some cream on."