According to scientists, applying body cream?which contains?extracts of broccoli could help fight the deadliest form of skin cancer.

They have created a drug made from vegetable compounds which slows down the growth of malignant melanoma.

This could also be a remarkable step forward in the slowing down of other forms of cancer.

Recent tests on rodents have shown that low doses of this new drug can inhibit the growth of tumours by up to 60 per cent.

Based on isothiocyanates, the drug is made up of anticancer compounds found in not only broccoli but cabbage and other green and leafy members of the brassica vegetable family.

Scientists have combined these with the mineral selenium and tests on human cancer cells have proved that the drug successfully slowed down the tumour growth by up to 70 per cent, although the possibility of full human trials will not be carried out in the near future.

Experts are convinced that nature holds the key to beating cancer,?however broccoli enriched sun cream?it won't be on the market for at least another ten years.

Melanoma affects more than 8,000 Britons a year and if you live here in sunny Spain, you too could be at risk of developing this fatal disease. Always remember to apply sunscreen, particularly during the hot summer months.