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A fifth of British parents wait until their children are visibly burning before they put sun cream on them, according to a shocking new study.

Many mums and dads fail to protect their youngsters' skin, even encouraging them to get a tan and in some cases have never put sun cream on them at all.

Incredibly, seven per cent of those with children aged six to 11 have let them use a sunbed.

Asked about the precautions they take against the sun, 21 per cent of parents with children aged 11 or under said they only apply cream when their son or daughter starts to turn pink.

The study of 1,000 parents, conducted by the Met Office in conjunction with NHS England's CoverUpMate skin cancer campaign, found a concerning one in 14 confess to having never put sunscreen on their children (7 per cent).

(Image: Getty)

Incredibly, a quarter of mums and dads have actually encouraged their children to get a tan in one way or another (25 per cent).

Ten per cent of parents whose children are aged between two and seven suggested they sunbathe.

It is not just the long-term effects of sun exposure in childhood that are a concern, with children having to suffer the immediate effects of their parents relaxed attitude.

Seventeen per cent of children aged 11 or under say they have experienced 'painful' sunburn four or more times in the last two years

And four per cent of parents admit their son or daughter has been so badly burned they have had to be taken to hospital.

Many mums and dads are unaware when their children will need extra protection due to high levels of UV rays.

The study found one in 14 parents don't even know UV rays make you burn (7 per cent), while 15 per cent do not know you can burn even when it is cloudy.

(Image: Getty)

Just one in five check the UV forecast each day (19 per cent), with 40 per cent never having looked at it in their lives.

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: "As a sun-savvy mum, these findings are really worrying.

"Young children can't be expected to apply their own sunscreen - they are unlikely to do it thoroughly, or forgo it completely - and protecting against skin cancer isn't something parents should leave to chance.

"Clouds don't always stop UV rays, and unlike the sun's warmth, it's difficult to know when they may be harming you.

"You can protect yourself and your family by checking the UV forecast on the Met Office app."

NHS England south region medical director Nigel Acheson said: "It's important parents take extra care to protect their babies and children.

"Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to UV could lead to skin cancer developing in later life."