Pictures: Telford tattoo and camper van exhibition a big draw

Tattoo Freeze, billed as the UK's favourite family tattoo event, returned to the Telford International Centre for the seventh year yesterday with more than 200 artists setting up stalls and offering ink, advice and ideas to visitors.

Running alongside the show was Camper Mart, filling a hall with everything Volkswagen bus lovers could want.

Event manager Alice Richardson said: "I'm thrilled with how many people are here. It's always a brilliant event, it's continually growing every year, both Tattoo Freeze and Camper Mart."

Miss Richardson said despite getting a tattoo being restricted to over 18s, there was plenty to keep younger visitors entertained.

"It's a very family friendly day," she said.

"Today we've got UK Garrison – a group of people who dress as Star Wars characters – raising money for the Children's Liver Foundation. They're adding a lot of fun to the event.

"We've got a team of children's entertainers telling stories, a roller derby taking place throughout the day, live music, face painting, glitter tattoos for children, bouncy castles, and ukelele workshops, so plenty for children to see and do."

Vendors travelled from across the UK to set up stalls in the hall. Darren Chandler, from Rainbow Screens in Milton Keynes, said it is an important event for the industry as it kicks off the year.

"It's a good first show of the season and we've got to be here to start the year properly," he said.

In the tattoo hall more than 200 international tattoo artists were kept busy throughout the day producing custom artwork.

Rachelle Downs, from Adorn in Shrewsbury, said: "It's been very busy. It's great for us to have something local, and it's great for the area as well.

"It's a very sociable event. We get a wide variety of people coming in, such a nice variety of people."

Miss Richardson said she believes the event will continue to grow as tattoos become more socially acceptable.