A TATTOO parlour in Warrington is giving out free tattoos – in exchange for a small donation to a local hospital.

Creative Tattoo, based on Erwood Street, began offering free tattoos at the beginning of the year to collect toys and donations for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital this Christmas.

The project, called Toys for Tats, sees the tattoo studio offer a selection of tattoo designs to customers for free, in exchange for a new toy.

“I had a bit of a dream, and I turned that dream into a reality,” said Ryan Ward, who is running the project.

Warrington Guardian: So far more than £600 has been raised for Alder HeySo far more than £600 has been raised for Alder Hey (Image: Creative Tattoos)

The first session was held in January, and there will be at least one session a month until the end of the year to collect as many toys as possible.

For those who want to take part, but would rather donate money, the studio has set up a Just Giving page which has already raised more than £600.

The artists are hoping to raise £2,000 by the end of the year, on top of the presents they are collecting for Alder Hey.

So far, more than 100 toys have been exchanged for tattoos.

Each session sees a long line of customers waiting to get into the studio, with each artist managing to get through around 50 clients in one day.

The next Toys for Tats date is Friday, April 26 and more details can be found on Creative Tattoo’s Instagram.