Teenagers are the target of a hard-hitting piece of street theatre, being brought to the region today by Cancer Research UK.

The drama, entitled Sunbed Trauma is aimed at 13 to 18-year-olds, and forms part of the charity's 2008 SunSmart campaign.

It features a TV news crew attending a 'crime scene' to report on the shocking news that a young person is willingly damaging their skin and increasing their risk of developing cancer – for the sake of a tan.

The dialogue will address many of the arguments young people use to justify the need to have a tan.

Caroline Cerny, SunSmart campaign manager, said: "The street drama gives us the opportunity to get the SunSmart message out to teenagers, who are a hard to reach audience.

"We hope that by showing them the risks in a way that's interesting and relevant to them, it will make them think twice about using sunbeds in the future."

The action will take place around the Monument area of Newcastle, one of three cities taking part.

Research shows that using sunbeds under the age of 35 increases the risk of skin cancer by about 75 per cent.

Malignant melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is now the most common cancer in young adults, aged 15 and 34, and can be fatal.

More than 300 cases are diagnosed in North East England each year.

Ms Cerny added: "Over-exposure to artificial UV rays in sunbeds can be
just as dangerous as staying out too long in sun.

"The intensity of some UV rays from some sunbeds can be 10 to 15 times higher than that of the midday sun.

"Sunbeds offer no health benefits, but significantly increase skin cancer risk. In fact, using a sunbed once a month or more can increase a person's risk of skin cancer by more than half."

After each performance, the actors and Cancer Research UK staff will hand out Sunbed Trauma postcards addressing tanning myths, and directing young people to www.myspace.com/be_sunsmart for more information.