Experts say sunbeds can cause skin cancer and premature ageing

Rotherham Council claims it is one of the first local authorities in the UK to take the action.

It follows concerns that young people are using sunbeds across the district all year round, which could increase their risk of developing a tumour.

The Rotherham Skin Cancer Action Group, which suggested the move, said it was "delighted" with the decision.

Last month, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Sunbed Association called for children under the age of 16 to be banned from using sunbeds because the cancer risk was so high.

As a lead player in protecting public health it seems wholly inappropriate for local authorities to make money from the provision of sunbeds Jenny Morris Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Cases of life-threatening malignant melanoma have risen 24% in the UK in five years.

Scientists believe spending endless hours on a sunbed damages skin cells in the same way as lying unprotected in the sun for too long.

The decision to remove sunbeds from leisure centres in Rotherham was taken after advice from the town's skin cancer action group.

Chairman Dr Kesseler, of Rotherham General Hospital, said: "This is a major step in skin cancer prevention in Rotherham and is the first of many such steps to reduce the huge increase here since 2000.

"There is nothing healthy or safe about a sun tan."

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is now pressing for other local authorities to follow the example of Rotherham.

Spokeswoman Jenny Morris said: "As a lead player in protecting public health it seems wholly inappropriate for local authorities to make money from the provision of sunbeds."