CELEBRITY Hampshire gardeners Charlie Dimmock and Alan Titchmarsh are among those backing a sun protection scheme.

The pair are joining a host of horticultural organisations to support Watch Your Back! – a campaign urging men to review their sun protection habits and get their backs checked regularly for the warning signs of skin cancer.

According to research from the National Cancer Intelligence Service, men aged 50 and over are at the highest risk of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

The Watch Your Back! campaign offers guidelines on sun protection and how to check skin for signs of change Charlie, from Romsey, said: “Gardening is a wonderful pastime and getting active outdoors is a positively healthy thing to do at any age, however we all need to be more aware of the dangers of the sun.

“Men especially can be reluctant when it comes to applying sunscreen, visiting their doctor or checking their skin for signs of change. With this attitude not only do we all risk melanoma, but all other sun related cancers.”

Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh said: “We men can be guilty of believing we don’t need to worry about sun protection, especially when we hit a certain age, however this appears to be the furthest thing from the truth.

“Melanoma is a terrible disease and it can destroy lives, but it is avoidable.

“By following these very useful guidelines you can lessen the risk of all types of skin-related problems. Get outdoors, have fun, but stay sun protected.”

The Watch Your Back! team will be at Garsons Garden Centre in Titchfield from 11am until 4pm on Sunday providing information on sun protection, tips on skin checking and what to look out for.