THE number of tattoo parlours opening in Bolton has shot up over the last decade.

A freedom of information request to Bolton Council has revealed that there has been an 825 per cent increase in the number of tattooists over the past 10 years, from four in 2004 to 37 in 2014.

The rate of tattooists opening in Bolton is almost five times the national growth, with figures showing there was a 173 per cent increase in tattoo parlours opening around the country over the last 10 years.

The increase in demand has also seen the number of people wanting to get tattoos removed.

Julie Kersaw, the clinic manager at Laserase Bolton situated in the ground of the Royal Bolton Hospital, said over the years they have removed hundreds of tattoos because people want to look smart for their jobs or want to get rid of an ex-partners named inked onto their skin.

She said: “Anyone who knows Bolton will realise that the number of tattoo parlours in the town has rocketed in recent years.

"Tattoos are very popular these days, but as a consequence of that we are seeing a growing number of people coming to our clinic for tattoo removal.

“This can be for a variety of reasons.

"It may be because it has been badly drawn — sometimes done by themselves — due to a forthcoming wedding where the bride or groom do not want tattoos on show on their wedding pictures.

“It may be to remove a name of an ex-partner, to improve job prospects, or because they’ve simply changed their mind about it."