A LASER clinic in Bolton is offering people the chance to get rid of tattoos featuring the name of their ex-partner for Valentine's Day.

Laserase is offering five free tattoo removal sessions to the person who comes up with the best reason why they want to get rid of their tattoo.

Clinic manager Julie Kershaw said: "From the number of tattoo removal treatments we carry out, we know that many people want to get rid of a tattoo of their ex-partner.

"This year we wanted to do something special for Valentine’s Day, so we are offering five free tattoo removal sessions to the person who sends us the best reason why they want to say ta ta to their tatt.

"Everyone has a tale to tell about why they want their tattoo removed. With our help, the person with the most deserving story can look forward to a very happy Valentine’s Day."

The clinic, based at the Royal Bolton Hospital, has treated more than 10,000 tattoos and uses a system which produces extremely short pulses of high energy red light which is absorbed by the tattoo pigment.

Each laser pulse lasts 25 billionths of a second.

The length of a treatment session depends on the size of the tattoo. A small tattoo might take five minutes, whereas a large or multiple tattoos could take an hour or more.

Treatment can be uncomfortable, but it varies from person to person and area of the body which is being treated.

To share your stories and pictures for the competition, get in touch with Laserase on 01204 570 900 or e mail admin@laserase-bolton.co.uk by February 14.