SUMMER is around the corner and holidaymakers across the borough will be getting ready to hit the beach — but not before a few sessions on a sun bed.

However, while the urge to get a base tan before sitting out in the sun's rays is tempting for many, health experts have warned that some sunbeds can produce UV (ultraviolet) radiation at strengths greater than those from the midday Mediterranean sun.

According to the British Skin Foundation (BSF), seven people die from skin cancer every day in the UK, and rates of malignant melanoma are rising faster than any other type of common cancer.

Damien Platt, from Little Hulton, knows all too well the effects of overusing sun beds.

The 33-year-old was diagnosed with melanoma — the deadliest type of skin cancer — in March 2013 and given just six months to live.

But miraculously the former tanning addict, who is currently taking trial medication at The Christie in Manchester, has so far defied the odds and has instead tirelessly battled to raise awareness about the dangers of using sun beds so that others might not suffer the same fate.

Mr Platt said: "There's no safe way to tan. Even if you go a nice golden shade it isn't a healthy tan because your skin is actually damaging and your body is going brown in defence. It's your body trying to adapt and protect itself because it's getting damaged."

Mr Platt used sun beds once or twice a week for three years before he spotted a mole on his leg in 2010.

He said: "I wouldn't encourage anyone to use sun beds. Quite the opposite — there are some brilliant fake tans and lotions out there that can give you a natural glow without the added health dangers.

"Everyone wants that golden tan to look a picture of health like pin ups, models and movie stars — everyone strives to look like that. It's a shame really because it's quite the opposite of healthy. I've gone from using sun beds to hospital beds.

"Burning your skin under a UV light is dangerous. Your skin is the biggest organ of your body — why would you want to damage it? I ignored all the warnings as I thought it would never happen to me. Now I'm stuck with a terminal illness that will send me to my grave."

Since his diagnosis, Mr Platt has embarked on a number of holidays to see the world while he can — but his holiday routine has dramatically changed.

He said: "I go away quite a lot now as I'm trying to see as much of the world as possible while I still have time — but I do things differently now. I don't really lie about in the sun and I stay covered up with a T-shirt and tend to stay in the shaded areas. I also cover myself in a good factor 50 lotion.

"I fake tan now just to fit in with today's golden society by using a daily moisturiser with a tint of tan so it looks quite natural. There are loads of great products out there that will give you the tan you require without the dangers."

He added: "I'm not advising people to stay completely out of the sun — just be sun smart.

"I'm doing very well at the minute — my trial medications have worked wonders. But they will stop working at some point and then I will have to endure what will probably be the hardest and saddest times of my life — all for the sake of having a tan."

For those who still want to soak up the rays this summer, the BSF offers some sun safety tips at ittakesseven.org.uk/skin-cancer-facts.

Dr Colin Mercer, clinical director for Clinical Governance and Safety, said: "Skin cancer is an increasing problem in Bolton and nationally. Avoiding overexposure to the sun is the best way to prevent all types of skin cancer. This means keeping out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, covering up if you are in the sun, wearing high factor sunscreen, and avoiding sunburn.

"Most importantly, you should not use sunbeds, which can be more dangerous than exposure to natural sunlight."