PLANS to open a coin-operated tanning studio in Gorse Hill will be debated this week.

Concerned locals launched a petition against the plans for 134 Cricklade Road but the company behind the shops insists they are safe and would be good for the area.

Hanne Priess, managing director of Consol Suncenter (UK), said: "Each of our studios is visited regularly by security and management staff and has CCTV installed which is constantly monitored."

No staff are based in the shop but each sunbed has a lock and a panic button with an alarm monitored by 24-hour security staff.

There are heat alarms and each sunbed also has a safety system to switch off if a fault is detected.

They are serviced each week.

As well as security, local people were concerned about the health risks of having unmanned sunbeds, particularly because they felt children might use them.

"In terms of safe tanning, it is not possible to burn on our sunbeds," Ms Priess said.

"Our equipment is highly sophisticated and our sunbeds are programmed to stop after a maximum of 15 minutes.

"We provide comprehensive information in the form of posters, signage and literature on all aspects of safe tanning and we man a 24-hour Helpline.

"We also know from research at our Faringdon Road studio and elsewhere in the South West that we do not attract underage or inappropriate use of our sunbeds."

Jane Leaman, director of public health at Swindon Primary Care Trust, strongly advises people not to use sunbeds because of the health risks.

But Consol Suncentre says tanning can have health benefits.

"Internationally scientists and medics are increasingly recognising that people in Britain are seriously deficient in Vitamin D which is putting them at risk of chronic illness including 16 different cancers," Ms Priess said.

The company also says research at its other 30 shops around the country shows they generate new business in the areas where they open.

Ward councillor Maurice Fanning (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) was contacted by concerned residents when the plans emerged and more than 100 people signed a petition.

But the council has not received any formal objections to the plans direct from residents.

One letter of support has been sent and North Swindon MP Michael Wills wrote to the council after being contacted by residents concerned about the health risks and also about the shop being open to abuse.

Now Coun Fanning wants to visit one of the company's existing shops before voting on whether to allow one to open in Gorse Hill.

He will propose that the plans are deferred when they come up at tomorrow's planning committee meeting.

The meeting starts at 7pm at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street.

Isabel Field