Stock up on sun-block – it's set to be a scorcher

Results of a recent study carried out in Britain revealed that three of the most popular brands of suncreams were failing to provide the level of protection they claimed.

The Irish Cancer Society said yesterday that the results of this report were "worrying".

Rosemary Scott, promotions officer with the organisation, said: "The findings of this report are very worrying in light of the trust placed in manufacturers of sunscreen to provide a reliable product that, used correctly, does what it claims to do."

Three products from the Piz Buin, Malibu and Hawaiian Tropic ranges that were advertised as offering factor-30 protections were tested twice and found to offer a sun protection factor (SPF) below 25.

The Irish Cancer Society is encouraging people to make appropriate sun-protection choices as the summer rapidly approaches. Temperatures this weekend are set to peak above 20 degrees.

Siobhan Ryan, from Met Eireann, said temperatures today were likely to reach at least 21 degrees, almost five degrees above normal for this time of the year.

Festival

"Today will be very dry and pleasant. We might get 21 degrees and the north Midlands and north Leinster are likely to be the warmest," she said.

Over 80,000 revellers are expected to visit the capital for Waterways Ireland's fourth annual summer festival along the Grand Canal Plaza and Grand Canal Dock.

Family fun is the only thing on the cards for the two days as international and Irish water sports heroes take to the Liffey to entertain the crowds.

"We'll have a variety of activities for all ages, including kayaking, raft races and an international wakeboarding competition, with national champions from Belgium, Holland and Sweden," Alan Robinson, of the Docklands Business Forum, said.