AN ex-servicewoman who opened her own tattoo studio after leaving the Armed Forces is in the running to become an international magazine cover star after entering a competition.

Toni Alexander, 32, from Catterick, run Toni's Tattoo and Piercing in the town.

Ms Alexander said she decided to enter the Inked Magazine competition search for a cover star – but has been amazed to find herself at the top out of hundreds of entrants.

She said: "It is a world wide competition so I can't believe how well I've done. I will find out tonight if I have made the top 20 of entrants, and then it will be whittled down again until the winner is announced.

"It is voted for by the public and I'm so thankful for all the support I've had locally."

"The prize is to be cover star of the magazine and £25,000. If I won I'd donate a large amount to a homeless veteran's charity as when I left the forces my daughter and I found ourselves homeless for a while and it was extremely tough.

"I'd also want to expand my business to do more semi-permanent make-up."

To vote, visit https://cover.inkedmag.com and search Toni Alexander.