'Computer tan' website scores hit

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A website ironically claiming to offer users an all-year tan through their computer screens has received more than one million hits in two months.

The website Computertan.com was set up by Nottingham-based skin cancer charity Skcin to help raise awareness of the dangers of sun beds.

The site says users can download software which enables their screens to produce ultraviolet rays.

What they get is warning about the dangers of UV radiation.

Skin cancer is the most common form of the disease in young adults.

'Astonishing response'

A spokesperson from Skcin said: "This is an astonishing response and has undoubtedly helped raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer in this country."

When users click on the "free five-minute tan trial", bars from a sun bed load up with a warning message stating, "Don't be fooled, UV rays can kill". Illustrations of skin cancers then appear.

Skcin was set up in memory of Karen Clifford, a Nottingham resident who died after a battle with skin cancer in 2005.

Mrs Clifford's family and friends worked with experts from the Queen's Medical Centre. Their goal is to "ensure that the danger of over-exposure to the sun is given greater profile with the emphasis on education resulting in the vital early detection of the disease".