An expert says that making sure children don’t get sunburn is “something to be taken seriously”

An expert says that making sure children don’t get sunburn is “something to be taken seriously”, after a new study revealed the dangers of young people having excess exposure to the sun.

The research by the Institute of Public Health and NUI Galway shows that at least nine out of 10 schoolchildren have experienced at least one episode of sunburn.

Meanwhile, 74% of 10-17 year olds said they experienced sunburn at least once during the past year.

There’s a warning that sunburn, unprotected sun exposure and use of sunbeds increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life

Dr Rupert Barry, consultant dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic surgeon at St James’s Hospital, spoke to The Hard Shoulder about the dangers to children and adults