By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

SUN WORSHIPPERS are literally frying in chip fat, national research from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) has revealed.

Cooking oil is just one of the sun lotion substitutes being used by “binge” tanners keen to boost the bronzing of their skin without considering the consequences.

The research published today reveals that Scots are acting dangerously in the sun by using moisturisers, baby lotion and even chip fat instead of high factor sun lotions.

Researchers found that four out of 10 sun and sun- bed worshippers have often used suntan-enhancing products and even experimented with their own versions including cooking oils and moisturisers in a bid to develop a quicker, darker tan.

Skin cancer is on the rise. In Tayside alone up to 1500 skin tumours are newly diagnosed every year, with the incidence of melanoma —a type of skin cancer— doubling in Scotland every decade since the mid 1970s.

Just last week Ninewells Hospital-based skin cancer specialist Dr Colin Fleming warned that people don’t need to go abroad to get skin damage from over- exposure to the sun.

He also revealed that research showed six out of 10 men and four out of 10 women never use sunscreen or cover up during sunny periods in the UK.

As temperatures continued to rise yesterday and a hot weekend was forecast, the Scottish office of the RPSGB said “unhealthy” sunbathing habits were to blame for the fact that Scots have the highest risk of contracting skin cancer in the UK.

The organisation is urging Scots to make sure they don’t fry this summer— warning that with their fair and often freckly skin, Scots are much more likely to burn easily.

“This is a serious issue,” said community pharmacy manager and spokeswoman for the RPSGB in Scotland Laura Wilson. “I am worried that people still think the warnings about the sun do not apply to them.

“In Scotland we have higher rates of melanoma than in Australia.

“Scots tend to think they do not need to use sun creams at home but people must respect the sun at all times and make sure they use a recommended sun protection cream.”

While malignant melanoma is now the most common cancer in the 15 to 34 age group, it is also one of the most preventable.

The RPSGB advises anyone who suspects signs of a mole changing shape, colour or texture to seek medical advice.