People in Bradford are being urged to get their moles checked at a skin cancer open day.

The event to combat melanoma is being held at the dermatology department at St Luke's Hospital on Monday.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, though if caught early enough it can be simple to treat.

Recent figures showed more people died in Britain of the disease than in Australia, despite thousands more cases of the disease there.

The open event coincides with European Melanoma Day which aims to raise awareness of the condition.

Between 9am and 3pm at St Luke's there will be a drop-in clinic where people can get any suspect moles checked out by three doctors.

Changes in the size, colour or shape of a mole can be a sign of melanoma and should always be investigated straight away.

Nurses will be on hand to show how to correctly apply sunblock and organisers are hoping there will be a demonstration of fake tanning.

Dr Andrew Wright, consultant dermatologist at St Luke's, said the aim was to raise the profile of the disease, which is relatively rare but kills about one in five people who get it.

"There is a general lack of awareness," he said. "We might not even pick up one melanoma but the issue is to make people aware.

"It is really important for everybody to get anything unusual checked out."

Dr Wright said people could still get bronzed skin through fake tanning, although they should remember it did not offer protection against the sun.

About 60 people a year with melanoma are seen by Bradford hospitals.

As part of the awareness drive, the dermatology department is also holding a postal auction of a signed Bradford Bulls shirt. The garment features the signatures of the winning team from last year's World Club Championship.

The proceeds of the auction will be split between the Skin Foundation and a fund to raise £10,000 to create a

CD-rom to support melanoma patients.

The disc would give patients more information about the disease and the treatments available.

Bids for the auction should be sent to the Dermatology Department, St Luke's Hospital, Little Horton Lane, Bradford. Anyone who wants to contribute towards the CD-rom fund should contact (01274) 365547.