During August and September, we're working on drawing attention to Staying Safe in the Sun, with Central Pharmacy taking the lead on this.

We all need a little bit of sunshine for our bodies to produce Vitamin D, which helps build and maintain strong bones. People with darker skin may need longer in the sun to get Vitamin D, but they also have a lower risk of sunburn.

Short exposure to sunlight should be enough for most people to accrue the required amounts of Vitamin D — it's minutes, not hours. The NHS recommends everyone in the UK considers taking Vitamin D supplements from October to the end of March, when the chances of finding enough sunlight to assist in Vitamin D production are lowest.

Check the UV index before leaving the house. This tells you how strong the sun is.

The higher the number, the less time it will take for your skin to burn.

www.metoffice.gov.uk/uv

1. Enjoy the cool of the shade.
2. Cover up with clothes, a hat, and sunglasses.
3. On the parts you can't cover, use a sunscreen with at least SPF15, and a rating of 4 or 5 stars.

Find out more: www.cruk.org/sun

Get to know your skin. Have a doctor check out any change in a patch of skin or a nail, whether its a mark or a mole you've had for a while, or something new that appears.

Find out more: www.cruk.org/spotcancerearly

Don't forget: your skin can still burn on a cloudy day!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or speak to a member of our friendly team at Central Pharmacy Ashington.