CALLS to remove sunbeds from council-owned leisure centres have been rejected - despite evidence that artificial tanning can cause skin cancer.

New Forest leisure chiefs said the withdrawal of sunbeds would result in more people using other types of salon that were not as well regulated.

Calls to ban sunbeds were led by Cllr Miranda Whitehead, a retired GP, who said skin cancer cases had doubled since the 1980s. She added: "There are no health benefits associated with using sunbeds. Your skin ages more rapidly, you can damage your eyes and your immune system is suppressed by the ultra violet radiation. Every time you go under a sunbed you increase your chance of getting skin cancer.

"The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has said that the provision of sunbeds in council-owned leisure centres is akin to hospitals providing cigarettes.

"I'd be very surprised to find many doctors using sunbeds - they're just too dangerous."

Fellow Lib Dem David Harrison said: "The principal duty of any councillor is to look after the health and wellbeing of the people they represent."

However, a report to councillors said sunbeds should continue to be provided at leisure centres in the forest.

The report said: "Although there is an undoubted link between over-exposure to ultra violet light and skin cancer, the centres have put in place safety standards and procedures that seek to minimise the risk.

"If the council discontinued the provision of sunbeds, users would use alternative providers whose safety standards are lower."

Bob Millard, assistant director of leisure services, said: "We know that some salons are nowhere near as safe and well regulated. If we take our sunbeds out users will go to other providers and will be at greater risk."

Tory councillor Derek Tipp supported the recommendation.

He said: "There is a risk involved in using sunbeds but people must be allowed to make that choice. I despise the nanny state."