LETTER : Browned off by skin cancer patrol

From Mr Andrew Calcutt

Sir: I was amazed by your report of skin cancer counsellors patrolling Welsh beaches (8 May) and persuading holidaymakers to protect themselves from the carcinogenic effects of sunlight. So now we cannot even in sit in the sun without suffering the unwanted attentions of health advisers, with their dire warnings of "suspicious moles" (at first I thought this must be a reference to the novels of John Le Carr).

I noticed that the two beach patrollers shown in the accompanying photograph were dressed in such a way as to leave only their arms (from the elbow), hands and the lower half of their faces exposed to the sun. Are "responsible" holidaymakers now required to cover themselves up to this extent? Will parents who fail to instruct their children in this fashion be listed as "dysfunctional"? Does this mean that Stevie Wonder's "You are the Sunshine of My Life" will soon be banned for inciting a dangerous lifestyle?

For me, one of the joys of going on holiday is the chance to get away from this sort of patronising claptrap. The last thing I want to see is the most absurd form of regulation coming towards me in the shape of the skin cancer patrol.

Yours faithfully,

ANDREW CALCUTT

London, N7