Researchers are also working on new sun creams

Scientists at Newcastle University have developed what they claim is an early warning system to aid treatment of skin cancer and skin damaged by sunburn.

The "skin physical" test uses DNA technology to give patients a measure of the extent of damage.

The �200-a-time test is only available privately, but researchers hope it will be taken up by the NHS soon.

The technology has been developed by a North American company, which invested more than �800,000 in its base at Newcastle University.

This will let people know how sun damaged their skin is and the preventative steps that can be taken to reduce future risk Prof Mark Birch-Machin, Newcastle University

Additional funding of �200,000 came from regeneration agency One NorthEast.

The test involves tiny skin samples being sent to a team at the university, who would analyse the sample and send results back electronically or by post.

Prof Mark Birch-Machin, of dermatological sciences at Newcastle University, said: "This will help to make a significant contribution to the decrease in skin cancer, which has one of the fastest growing cancer incidences in Europe and totals 70,000 new cases each year in the UK.

"Our research group at Newcastle is leading world advances in this field.

"The unique element of our work is being able to measure the sunburnt DNA in normal, healthy people rather than just in people who are suffering from skin cancer.

"We have managed to find a particular DNA marker which tells us who has been damaged and how much they have been damaged.

"This will let people know how sun-damaged their skin is and the preventative steps that can be taken to reduce future risk."