The cancer charity Melanoma UK has been threatened with legal action by the Sunbed Association for suggesting that regular use of sunbeds increases the risk of contracting cancer.

Representing the association, London solicitors RIAA Barker Gillette (managing partner Alex Deal) has written to the charity warning them that claiming there is a “proven link” between sunbed use and skin cancer is “factually incorrect”. They go on to claim that “responsible use” does not pose a health risk.

The charity is calling for a ban on commercial sunbeds. The NHS has said that the charity is “absolutely right to highlight the risks caused by sunbeds”.