Bradford sun-worshippers are being warned that just two bouts of severe sunburn could be enough to double their chances of getting skin cancer.

The warning has come from one of UK’s leading skin cancer experts Professor Andrew Wright.

His referral clinic at St Luke's Hospital, Bradford, which checks moles and unusual marks, is experiencing higher numbers of patients since the heatwave began.

He says the surge is down to people shedding their clothing layers and getting reacquainted with bits of their bodies that have been under wraps since last year.

Under hospital guidelines, people worried about moles and marks have to be seen on a two-week fast track appointment system.

“The fast-track system means we see this surge almost immediately now the good weather has arrived so we have people noticing things they didn’t before or relatives spotting moles on backs.

“We are experiencing almost freakish weather. It’s been intensely hot and yet people think just because it’s England it’s not as harmful or powerful as abroad but, of course, it is.

“It only needs two incidences of severe sunburns, by that I mean turning into blisters, to double your chance of skin cancer. It’s scary. The best advice to enjoy the sun is use sun block and stay out of it at midday.”

The strong rays of the sun have also led to an increase in the numbers of people seeking help from the clinic with prickly heat rash. The number of people worried about bumps that turn out to be insect bites has also gone up.

“I don’t think it’s the number of insects about that’s increased. I think it’s more people going to the insects, getting out and about, sitting on the grass or going out for walks,” said Prof Wright.

A spokesman for Bradford Royal Infirmary’s A&E department said: “This week our A&E department has seen a small increase in heat-related attendances amongst the elderly and some office workers with people suffering from dehydration, raised temperatures and collapse.

“We have also seen incidences of severe sunburn and a higher than usual number of attendances for this time of the year, from patients presenting with respiratory problems such as asthma and hay fever.”

People who do not have an obvious life-threatening illness or injury should get advice from non-emergency organisations by calling 111 or by contacting their local pharmacist, GP surgery or walk-in centre for treatment rather than go to A&E.

Bradford’s Public Health team is reminding people to take care in the sun as the weather heats up and looks set to carry on into August.

Greg Fell, consultant in public health at Bradford Council, said: “Taking care in the sun is something which comes naturally when we are abroad on holiday, but we can all too easily get caught out when the blazing temperatures take us by surprise in Britain.

“The key message is to follow public health messages on how to enjoy the sun safely by keeping cool, drinking lots of cold fluids and checking on those you know are at risk.”