A CHRISTMAS poster campaign has been launched to warn people about the potential health cost of using a "scratcher" for cheap tattoos.

The graphic posters have been designed by creative arts students at Hartlepool College of Further Education show the horrors of 'scratchers' – unqualified tattooists – that can leave people scarred for life with the added risk of infection.

The images are being used as posters in a social media campaign by the college and supported by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Lesley Huitson of Hartlepool Council’s public protection team said: “We really appreciate the fantastic support from the students in our bid to clamp down on people offering cheap tattoos that can be ultimately harmful and dangerous.

“The powerful images on the posters they have produced show exactly what can go wrong if you don’t use a qualified and registered tattooist .You cannot cut costs when it comes to your health.

“You should always go to a bona fide tattoo parlour rather a 'scratcher'.

The winning designs were picked from a series created by students at the college. The judging panel included Kez Hill, a tattoo artist from Intravenous Ink in Hartlepool and representatives from Hartlepool Council.

The local authority was the first local authority in England to launch a Tattoo Hygiene Rating Scheme (THRS) earlier this year.

The scheme, which is voluntary, is designed to inform members of the public about the hygiene standards in individual premises, drive up standards and help combat the risk of incidents of infection and of transmission of infectious disease from tattooing.

Under the scheme, tattoo studios undergo a rigorous inspection from council environmental health officers before being rated in one of four categories. These are ‘1 - Needs Improvement’, ‘2 - Satisfactory’, ‘3 - Good’ and ‘4 - Very Good’.

The large majority of tattoo studies in Hartlepool agreed to sign up to the scheme and the first to be inspected were all given the top rating. They included Intravenous Ink.

Once inspected, tattoo studios receive a certificate and a window sticker which clearly shows what their grading is.

“Scratchers” tend to be unqualified individuals who carry out a tattoo anywhere with no regard for hygiene. This often results in a poor quality tattoo, infection and people being scarred for life.

When tattooists or body-piercers don’t use sterile equipment there is a risk that infections can pass from one client to another. These can range from skin infections to serious blood-borne viruses, including HIV and hepatitis B and C.

For further information on tattoo safety, visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/tattoo safety