Mum covered in tattoos vows to get ink until she's a pensioner despite 'funny looks'

A mum who is covered in tattoos has vowed to continue getting them until she is a pensioner.

Melissa Sloan, 45, is covered head to toe in colourful ink but still believes that there is room for more, despite people staring at her in the street.

Since the age of 20, the mum-of-seven, who lives in Wales, has used her body as a canvas, collecting dozens of tattoos including love hearts scattering her face, Hull Live reports.

Melissa is not phased by negative remarks about her appearance, insisting that she is "not doing anyone any harm" and that it is "all about being yourself".

She said: "People stare no matter where I go. There's always drama. It doesn't matter if it's in the supermarket, or wherever, people look at me."

On people's reaction to her ink, she added: "Some are really nice and complimentary about my tattoos. But others ask why I got so many, or look at me and question why I would do it to myself.

"I went to a fair the other day and that was a challenge. Loads of people were staring at me as if I'm some sort of celebrity superstar." But Melissa refuses to acknowledge the critics. All that matters to her is that she and her children like them.

Melissa got her first tattoo when she was 20 (Melissa Sloan)

"I have seven kids, most of them have grown up now, but they think they're fantastic," added Melissa. "My mum always said to me: 'you've got to be yourself'. That's what I'm doing."

After getting her first few done professionally, Melissa now gets tattooed sometimes twice a week by her partner at home. But his collection pales in comparison, with "only a few on his arm".

Melissa's favourite body art, on her leg, is of London gangsters the Kray twins. When asked if she had any room left, Melissa said: "Not on my face.

"But there's still plenty of space on my back.

"I just love my tattoos, I'm proud of them. I will be getting them until I'm 80. I'm not doing anyone any harm, so therefore I won't stop.

"People can say what they like, but at the end of the day it's all about being yourself."

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