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The skin care warnings have come thick and fast this year as forecasters predict a hot summer.

And scientists now say that liquorice could offer valuable protection against sunburn and skin cancer, the UK's most common cancer among 15 to 34-year-olds.

The National Cancer Institute in the US found that liquorice extract applied to the skin helps to reduce sunburn and combat UV damage by acting as an anti-inflammatory.

But it was researchers at the Institute of Chinese Medical Science in Taiwan that discovered the reason. The active molecule glycyrrhizin found in liquorice blocks the protein AP-1 which can cause cancer.

Well known in Chinese medicine for its ability to aid digestion and combat stress, liquorice extract is already used in many organic sun-care products.

Sarah Palmer, a medical herbalist at the Vitality Centre in Bristol, told the Daily Mail: "I'd suggest using organic sunscreens and after-sun formulations containing liquorice or glycyrrhizin.

"It an area is sunburned, apply a liquorice balm. You could also take liquorice internally for an added effect, either as tea or as a supplement. But don't take liquorice regularly if you have hypertension as it may raise blood pressure."

But remember, as powerful as liquorice can be in blocking skin cancer, simply sitting on the beach with a box of Liquorice Allsorts will not have the same effect!