BEACHGOERS in Old Leigh are being offered better protection from the sun thanks to a clever new invention. 

Resident Sam Batstone is behind the Safe Sun initiative, which has seen hand dispensers filled with sun cream, rather than soap or cleaning gel. 

He has struck a deal with Leigh Town Council to install one of the dispensers on Bell Wharf Beach, meaning visitors now have immediate access to sun cream, free of charge. 

Mr Batstone, 32, says he spent months working on the adaptation and has revealed how he came up with the invention.

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“The idea came about when I was on the beach with my partner, and it was a typical British day where the sun suddenly appeared," he said.

“Everyone was unprepared and began to burn.

“With the pandemic, I could see dozens of hand sanitiser dispensers everywhere and that’s when I thought ‘wouldn’t it be great if they had that but for sun cream’.

“We have become so accustomed to hand sanitiser to protect us, so why not sun cream.

“The reaction since has been phenomenal, people can just see it is really a simple device that can benefit everybody, and most importantly protect people.”

Safety and allergy advice is listed next to the dispenser, which is regularly checked and refilled by both Mr Batstone and the town council. 

It is thought there are enough supplies to last the entire summer. 

Mr Batstone, who is an underwriter, now hopes to roll-out his creation across the country in a bid to protect holidaymakers from the sun and skin cancer.

He added: “Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and the rate continues to rise.

“Prevention is what is needed, and all it is takes is a blob of sun cream on high UV days.

“With the cost-of-living crisis families, may struggle to project their skin, and this dispenser can also offer families the right protection.

“Since putting the dispenser in Leigh, I have been approached by companies and councils up and down the country.

"I just want to try and help as many people as people all in time for the summer.”