AS summer approaches, the obsession with a glowing tan on our winter-white bodies increases.

Since sunshine holidays can be costly, many people turn to sunbeds on a regular basis. But, now the British Medical Association says that people should not use them, and that we need a Government campaign to stress the dangers. Angela Kelly reports

THE Victorians would probably feel that they had been proved right after all -- pale skin may well be best and tanned skin should be avoided.

Certainly, the British Medical Association would say that our predecessors were absolutely right to cover up against the sun's potentially damaging rays.

They, of course, did not have the facility to fake a tan anyway. Today, we do -- and that is our perceived downfall because it is sunbeds which the BMA feels offer a particular health risk.

Now, these medical experts want the Government to regulate sunbed use after research showed that some people have more than 100 sessions a year.

The British Photodermatology Group recommends that sunbeds are not used at all. But, if they are used, it should be no more than two courses of more than 10 sessions a year.

The BMA's concerns centre around potential risk of certain types of skin cancer including dangerous melanoma, premature ageing and possible eye damage.

The problem is that while sunlight contains a mix of UVA and UVB radiation, some of this is filtered out by the ozone layer. Sunbeds produce mainly UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper into the skin, and produce less UVB radiation.

Consultant dermatologist Dr Michael Beck, of Chorley New Road, Bolton would welcome Government regulations but believes a sunbed ban would not be viable.

"It is difficult to legislate against people undertaking an activity that gives them pleasure," he said. "Most people are fully aware of the risks but decide to go on sunbeds anyway, and it would not be advisable to strip them of the liberty to do so."

But, Dr Beck would caution commonsense. Personally, he believes it would be best if people either reduced this kind of exposure, or stopped it altogether.

"Certainly, I have seen some people of a very young age who have had skins damaged as a result. But people who go on sunbeds also tend to expose their skin to natural sunshine as well."

Dr Beck advised everyone to regulate use of sunbeds, unless for therapeutic reasons as "some people have found this kind of exposure useful for certain skin conditions."

Jackie Morton has owned a sunbed salon, Moretans, on Chorley Old Road, Doffcocker, Bolton for the past three-and-a-half-years. Although the majority of her customers use sunbeds for purely cosmetic reasons, some use them because they suffer from arthritis, or skin conditions.

"We have teenagers with spots who find the sunbed helps dry these up and people with arthrititis, psoriasis and eczema who also feel it helps their conditions," she explained.

She and her staff always advise customers on tanning exposure times, and on the importance of using protective creams. "You wouldn't lie in the sun without protection so we tell people about using creams when they go on the sunbeds," said Jackie.

She felt that using sunbeds was "a controlled method of tanning when used sensibly." She added: "And it does help people feel better because they believe they look better."

Beauty salon owner Debbie Mercer, however, from Making Faces in New Hall Lane, Heaton is against the use of sunbeds.

"I won't have them here and I tell all my customers not to use them," she asserted. " They are dangerous and ageing, and you can get a fake tan quite safely so there is no point."

The Sunbed Association, which represents more than 1,500 sunbed operators, manufacturers and suppliers nationally, has its own Code of Practice.

It highlights "the responsible use of sunbeds, assessing different skin types, monitoring sessions, the importance of using eye protection when tanning and the risks associated with over-exposure."

GILL Atherton is a 42-year-old Bolton mother of two who is a regular sunbed user. "I go on three or four times a week, for 12 minutes each time," said Gill, who is blonde with skin which tans easily.

"I feel that a slight tan makes me look healthier. I don't want to be white, and I have used fake tans before but they came out streaky.

"I actually like lying on a sunbed because I find it relaxing. I always use protective cream on my body, and put a towel over my face to help prevent premature ageing."

Would the latest health scare stop Gill from tanning? "No, it won't. These statements are always coming out," she insisted. "I think I'm already quite sensible about this."