SKIN experts from Poole Hospital are inviting the public to learn more about sun safety by spending a day on the beach to spread awareness.

People sun bathing on the golden sands at Sandbanks will be invited to have their moles and skin checked and find out how to reduce the risks of skin cancer by dermatology experts.

The free annual sun awareness beach event will take place on August 27 from 10am to 3pm near the lifeguard station at Sandbanks Beach.

Lead consultant dermatologist Caroline Morgan said: "The idea of this event is to let the public know why it's really important to take precautions in the sun and look after your skin.

"We want people to be able to safely enjoy the sunshine without putting themselves at risk of developing skin cancer in the future.

"The majority of skin cancers are caused by excess exposure to the sun, burning in childhood is known to double the risk of developing malignant melanoma," she said.

"In Poole we had around 150 new cases of melanoma last years - and this is increasing every year.

"Most skin cancers are curable if caught at an early stage so it is a really good idea to check your skin once a month for new or changing moles.

"At the Sandbanks event we'll have a team of dermatology specialist nurses and doctors able to check people's moles and also give advice on what to look for."

Dorset has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the UK and the rate is increasing by 10 per cent every year. Ultra violet light exposure is the main potentially avoidable risk factor for skin cancer. Prolonged sun exposure over many years can lead to the skin cancers basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.