Proposals which would give Scottish councils the power to licence sunbed salons are being prepared by a group of MSPs.

The move is being planned by the Scottish Parliament's cross-party cancer group.

It comes as East Renfrewshire Council became the latest authority north of the border to bring in a scheme to regulate tanning studios.

I think that people should be made aware of the dangers, and the only way to do so is by licensing

Kenneth McIntosh MSP

A scheme already operates in Edinburgh, where salons licensed by the city council must adhere to a code of practice laid down by the Sunbed Association.

East Renfrewshire Council voted on Thursday to bring in its own scheme for licensing salons.

Councillor Owen Taylor said: "We can see the long-term implications of unregistered suntan parlours.

"We can see the damage that it will inflict in the west of Scotland on people's health.

"We would like to aid and abet improving the health service, and the best way to do that is to stop people from contracting cancer."

Tanning salons

Research has suggested that people who use sunbeds more than double their chances of getting some forms of skin cancer.

Holyrood's cancer group has welcomed individual councils' moves to regulate tanning salons.

It is currently preparing plans which would oblige all local authorities to take similar steps.

Labour MSP Kenneth McIntosh said: "We think that people can make informed choices, but they need the advice and information.

"I think the unmanned machines are particularly dangerous. People can get in there at any age and they can give themselves very high doses of radiation.

"I think that people should be made aware of the dangers, and the only way to do so is by licensing. I think that is certainly the first step."