A woman who has taken body piercing to a new level visited the North-East to open a body fashion studio.

Elaine Davidon, officially the world's most pierced woman, was at In Arcadia, in Skinnergate, Darlington, on Saturday, to cut the ribbon on the shop's new piercing studio.

Ms Davidson, who is originally from Brazil and now lives in Edinburgh, got her first piercing seven years ago and now has 6,005, including more han 1,500 that are internal.

She said: "I don't enjoy getting pierced, but to break the record you have got to get to a high level. I wanted to break the record for something.

"My family don't like tattoos or piercings, but I just totally broke the rules. But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."

The studio offers the latest techniques, including micro-dermal piercings, which instead of going through two sides of the skin, only go through one side, with the backing underneath the skin.

Shop owner Les Fry said: "Elaine is a friend and she has very kindly agreed to open the shop.

"We have got an excellent piercing artist who can perform the most up-to-date techniques."

For more details, phone the shop on 01325-467555.