Hidden risks of children's sun cream

Children's sun creams are failing to give the protection they claim on the bottle according to independent tests.

Seven out of eight fell below the standard claimed and would have put children or babies at risk of being burned or developing skin cancer said the Trading Standards Institute, which commissioned the survey.

The institute is demanding new regulations on sun creams.

In Britain 2,000 people a year die from skin cancer - twice the figure in Australia where there has been a 20-year campaign on the dangers of getting sunburned.

The institute's chief executive, Ron Gainsford, said: "It seems crazy that in the UK and Europe sun creams are afforded the same regulatory status as lipsticks."

The failing brands were not named but the only one giving the promised protection was Boots' Soltan. The institute wants independent cream tests, mandatory "best before" dates, and a safety campaign for children.