n THE sun has got its hat on/and you should do the same!'' A liberal paraphrasing of the traditional children's song. Yet the message cannot be reinforced enough. Despite Scotland's lack of rays we are not exempt when it comes to Sun Awareness Week; and neither are our children. With a third of children believing in the importance of a suntan, this year's Sun Awareness Week is focusing on their early protection, given research indicating sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer in later life.

The Health Education Authority is calling on parents and teachers to take special care of young children in the sun with the launch of an information pack for schools. Sun Know How campaign manager, Christopher New says: ''The evidence that sunburn in childhood is linked to developing skin cancer in later life is now very strong. Children spend a quarter of their time at school outside. We have to ensure that parents and teachers are aware of the need to take simple precautions in the sun.'' Schools are being encouraged to hand out hats and sun screen to frolicking pupils in the playground, as well as during field trips and sports days.

With 2000 people dying of skin cancer each year in the UK alone, we should all be sporting sun hats.