The number of people diagnosed with dangerous forms of the skin cancer melanoma has gone up by 50% over the past 10 years, RTL news reports on Thursday.

Some 800 people a year die from melanoma in the Netherlands, which spreads quickly throughout the body once established. In particular, more young adults, who tend to be keen sunbathers, are being affected.

A new social media campaign warning of the dangers and how to prevent melanoma has just been launched, targeting youngsters.

Figures from European statistics agency Eurostat showed that last year more people died of skin cancer in the Netherlands – 3.6 per 100,000 – than in any other EU country apart from Slovenia.