Dr Tina Tian, a consultant dermatologist at Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford, has provided advice on how to encourage children to wear sunscreen amid a warning about leaving kid’s skin unprotected.

This not only comes ahead of Melanoma Awareness Month (May) but also with a heatwave predicted for much of the south of England.

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The Daily Express has said that temperatures in counties, including Oxfordshire, could soon soar to up to 23°C, citing the latest ECMWF weather model.

Its data reveals temperatures are likely to peak on April 29.

Considering this Dr Tian and Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics, have highlighted the importance of encouraging children to wear sunscreen.

Dr Perry said: “Children’s skin is significantly more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin.

“The outer barrier isn’t fully developed, which means ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates more easily and can cause damage at a deeper cellular level.

Photo of a past heatwave in Oxford (Image: Ed Nix)

“What many people don’t realise is that a proportion of lifetime sun damage actually occurs before the age of 18.

“Even a handful of serious sunburns in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, later in life.”

Dr Tian agrees with Dr Perry and has provided some advice on how to encourage children to wear sunscreen.

This includes making it part of their routine, involving them in the process and turning it into a game.

Dr Tian said: “I often ask my daughter what kind of face she wants me to paint with the sunscreen to try to make it more fun.”

She also suggested non-stinging sunscreen.

“When sunscreen gets into children’s eyes, it can really sting so look out for sunscreen that is labelled as non-stinging,” she advised.

“The P20 one is really good due to the fact that it’s so water-resistant, so it doesn’t really move and won’t migrate into the eyes and make them sting.”

The experts also advised explaining why it’s important, using age-appropriate language, and to make it a reciprocal process.

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Dr Tian said: “With my son I find it really helpful to get him to put some sunscreen on me first to make it a bit of a reciprocal thing.”

Finally, she suggested letting children play with the lids and to warm up the cream beforehand.

She said: “A lot of sun creams have lids and you can draw funny faces on the lid and let your kids play with it while you’re doing the cream.”

She added: “Sun cream often feels very cold, so it can help to warm it up in your hands a bit before you start putting it on your child so it’s not too much of a shock for them.”

The government has opened a new fund for councils to fix neglected infrastructure around the UK.

Donnington Bridge is in need of around £4m worth of repair work having been closed to buses in 2024.

And a major project to replace the ageing Kennington rail bridge is being delayed due to a massive £71m funding shortfall.

Oxford Labour said some of the city’s bridges “are not in good shape” and welcomed the funding opportunity.

Kennington rail bridge’s north elevation (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

“We trust the county council will be applying to this fund and stepping up their surveying and repair work,” a party spokeswoman said.

Isis county councillor Brad Baines said: “We remain extremely concerned about the ongoing uncertainty over the future of Donnington Bridge.

“The county council has refused to commit to funding the reinforcement or replacement of the bridge or restoration of bus connections across it.”

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An inspection confirmed the bridge must be repaired or replaced before full‑sized buses can return.

Repairs could cost £4 million and take two years, while replacement might cost up to £30 million and take much longer.

The council said feasibility work on options is due by summer but expanding the service “would, unfortunately, be prohibitive.”

Siobhan Lancaster (Image: Esme Kenney)

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (Image: Yui Mok/PA)

Oxford resident and campaigner Siobhan Lancaster added: “Residents in south and east Oxford need certainty about the future of this vital infrastructure and this new fund could provide that.

“We continue to call on the county council to provide this, apply to this fund and get the job done.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s spokesman said: “We welcome any extra money being made available for repairing structures such as this fund.

“Oxfordshire has many historic bridges and other infrastructure that is in need of attention and we will look into the criteria to make sure the county gets its fair share of this money.”

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander, who was a recent victim to one of Oxfordshire’s potholes, said: “Crumbling bridges and worn-out flyovers have been patched up rather than properly fixed for far too long, leading to frustrating weight limits and lengthy diversions.

“Every closed bridge is a barrier to growth; a blocked route to work, a delayed delivery, a family unable to reach the services they depend on.

“Councils have known what needs fixing for years but simply haven’t had the resources to act.

“We’re changing that, making sure structures are repaired properly, so people can live in properly connected communities.”

Funding decisions will be announced in autumn 2026, with all successful schemes required to complete works by March 2030.

The celebration will pay tribute to the air base, which has played a major role in British history.

First established in 1926, thanks to government support, it is a significant reminder of the country’s aviation heritage.

Historic England recognised the site in 2007 as the best-preserved example of interwar bomber stations in Britain.

The coming event will let attendees immerse themselves in this historical atmosphere, a hundred years since its creation.

Highlighting the celebration, the Bristol Scout bi-plane, an iconic figure from the past, will grace the event.

This will honour the many airmen who have touched down on this airfield, dating back to 1911, a period before RAF Bicester.

Vehicles from the era, including Britain’s leading classified car from the first British Grand Prix, will circle the Scout.

In August, the race celebrates its own centenary.

Other anticipated features are the Tank Museum’s 1920 Rolls-Royce Pattern, complete with 8mm thick armour and a .303 Vickers machine gun, reaching speeds up to 60mph.

Renowned manufacturers like Bentley and Vauxhall will showcase vehicles from their heritage fleets around Bicester Motion, with offerings from other noted contributors.

Visitors can explore Hangar 113 for the centenary display, indulge in afternoon tea, enjoy the Charlala singing trio, and observe a number of 1920s machinery from both land and air.