MORE than 100 tattoo artists are expected to descend on Southampton for the city’s first ever tattoo festival.

Organisers of the event taking place at the Ageas Bowl in West End are expecting to draw in as many as 20,000 over the two day event starting today and running into tomorrow.

The event, which is designed to be family friendly, will feature tattoos, music, arts and all things vintage and organisers say there will be something for everyone.

Around 120 tattoo artists, 70 of them from Southampton area, are set to attend alongside more than 80 traders will be at the venue, off Botley Road.

There will be live tattooing, a classic car show, live music on three different stages, funfairs and carnival, burlesque acts and a motorbike display.

Daily Echo: Tattoists Ian Hopkins and Martin Moore with customer Les Smith, centre, business called Ian Ink Tattoo, Howards Grove, Shirley

Renowned tattoo artists Ian Hopkins, whose clients have included ex-Saints star Adam Lallana, and Martin Moore from Ian Ink Tattoo in Shirley have joined forces with Nathan Alexander and Zoe Closs from Yellow Vintage Fairs to organise the event which they believe will put Southampton on the map.

Live performers include The Novatones, Signals, rock and roll band Ruby and the Roughcuts, Ben Gunn and the Junkyard Angels, The Rising, Welcome Pariah and many others.

There will be a bouncy castle, magician and hypnotist Stephen Simmons, hoop spinning with hoop dance specialist Amy Hooplovin, renowned tattoo model Cervena Fox will be performing with fire both days.

There are currently tattoo conventions in Portsmouth and Bournemouth but there has never been a specialist event in the city.

Tattoo artists will go head to head in competition categories including best black and grey tattoo, best colour, best oriental, best traditional, best realism and best portrait.

Judging will start at 3pm with awards at 7.30pm on each day.

Nathan said: “It really is the first of its kind in Southampton and will be back next year even bigger than this years.

“We have so much to do for all the family for people with all sorts of tastes and being over half the price cheaper than so many other Tattoo Conventions this really will be an event for everyone and even if you do not like tattoos there will be so many things to see and do.

“So many people have tattoos. It’s an expression of individuality and people have them for all different reasons.

“It’s like having a photo in your wallet, each tattoo tells a story.

“We’re looking forward to putting Southampton on the map for this unique kind of festival.”

Doors will open from 10am until 8pm each day.

Tickets cost £8 on the door or £15 for the weekend and under 12s go free or £6 in advance and £10 for the two days.

Tickets can be bought in advance online at southamptontattoofestival.co.uk.