SUN safety awareness in primary schools must improve, according to a Malvern mum whose seven-year-old daughter was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Julie Flook's daughter, Lucy Constable, now ten, was taken into hospital, at seven yesr of age, when a mole on her leg started bleeding to have it, and the surrounding flesh, removed.

Her mother was horrified to read the words malignant melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, in Lucy's medical notes.

"People aren't taking the threat of the sun seriously enough," said Mrs Flook. "So many children don't even have hats or sun cream."

The operation on the mole left Lucy with a large scar, but she is now cured.

Mrs Flook said her school, North-leigh CE Primary, has been fantastic in its response to her concerns.

The children learn about sun safety in class, wear hats at break and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

Headteacher Jean Mills said: "We don't want to be overprotective but we want our children to be safe."

Northleigh is not the only school in the area to take sun safety seriously but Mrs Flook wants all schools to take more responsibility for sun awareness and be given more advice.

Worcestershire County Council has issued schools with guidelines but there is no formal policy.

The guidelines strongly advise that staff should never apply sunscreen to pupils for reasons including the risks of allergic reactions and physical abuse allegations.

It is also not seen as being part of the job description.

Parents are advised to apply long-lasting sun cream before school and make children wear a hat and loose-fitting long-sleeved tops. Schools are advised to arrange shaded areas and keep lunch breaks short.

Peter Babb, health and safety officer for children's services, said: "We are concerned for the welfare of the children in the care of our schools, but cannot expect our staff to take on all the jobs that might reasonably be expected to be the responsibility of parents."

Mrs Flook is now raising money for research into sun safety and skin cancer and anyone who may be able to help should contact her at j_ules2001@yahoo.co.uk.