THIS paper launched a campaign last summer to change the law to prevent commercial tanning salons from admitting children.

Being badly burned in pursuit of the perfect tan can increase the risk of developing skin cancers in later life.

We highlighted the case of 15-yearold Katie Turner, from Darlington, who ended up in hospital with severe sunburn, headache and nausea, after spending only 21 minutes beneath a sunbed.

Today, we feature the case of Kelly Thompson, a ten-year-old who suffered burns over 70 per cent of her body, following a 16-minute session at a coin-operated tanning studio.

The Health and Safety Executive has issued new advice to salons, which says no one under 18 should be admitted to tanning salons and that coin-operated salons should be manned by trained staff at all times.

We welcome the HSE’s intervention and applaud its common-sense guidelines but, without legislation, we fear it has no teeth. Businesses ignoring the rules will face no censure and no threat of legal action.

Responsible salons will, of course, comply with the guidelines, but many of those already have strict policies in place.

Unscrupulous tanning studios will be free to carry on welcoming children, who have no knowledge of the potential dangers they face.

The HSE has shown the way – it is up to the Government to take matters further.

Allowing children to use commercial tanning salons must be a matter for the courts.