Town hall bosses have warned illegal tattooists are putting people and particularly children’s health in danger.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has today has called for tougher sentences for illegal tattooists, who it claims, use unsterilized equipment in make shift studios, and put people’s health at risk.

The LGA has also called on online retailers to warn children on the dangers of using DIY tattoo kits, which can cost as little as £25.

The vice chairman of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, Cllr Morris Bright, said anyone getting a tattoo should make sure they check both the premises and tattooist is registered.

There are currently more than 1,500 licensed parlours in the UK and you have to be 18 to have one or to tattoo someone else.

He added any prospective tattooists should register with their local council, who can provide advice on legal requirements and hygiene.

‘We would also encourage anyone who has visited an unregistered tattooist to seek medical advice from their GP and report the parlour to their local authority,’ added Cllr Bright.

‘Illegal tattooists operating under the radar pose a real danger to people’s health as they often have low hygiene standards which could put your life at risk,’ he added.

‘They can use unsterilised equipment that seriously increases the risk of spreading diseases such as hepatitis or HIV, and causing permanent, ugly scarring. Unregulated tattooists are also associated with bad tattoos, which require expensive work to put right, and because they've been done illegally, you won't have normal customers’ rights,’ said Cllr Bright.