All 22 miles of Sefton's coastline will be included in the scheme

The new initiative - which began on Wednesday - was set up by Sefton Council and the NHS and is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

It is based on a scheme which is already running in Australia.

The spray-on lotion will be available to people using the borough's 22 miles of coastline.

It will be carried in specially designed backpacks by lifeguards who will then ask sunbathers if they want any to be sprayed on.

'Most common cancer'

The campaign will also give people the chance to pick up free sun cream from lifeguards.

Flags warning of the dangers of UV rays will be placed on beaches and leaflets with information on skin cancer will be distributed in places likely to attract sun worshippers.

Jo McCullagh, health promotion specialist at Sefton Health Improvement Support Service, said: "Skin cancer is already the most common cancer in the UK and with around 65,000 new cases diagnosed every year the numbers are rising.

"The main cause is exposure to UV rays - either from the sun or from sunbeds - which cause the skin to burn and create an increased risk of skin cancer.