PARENTS are being warned of the dangers of cheap temporary tattoos after a second North-East child was found to have been scarred while on holiday.

Last week, it was revealed that seven-year-old Jessica Jones had been poisoned by a four-inch tattoo of a dolphin that left her so allergic that she will never be able to use hair dye or make-up.

Now, a second mother says her eight-year-old son was left in agony when a temporary tattoo bought in Turkey scarred his arm for six months and led to a rash across his whole body.

Beverley Mansun says her son, Lee Ridley, was poisoned when he had a four-inch temporary tattoo of Pokemon character, Ala Kazam, placed on his arm.

Within days, Lee, of The Leas, Darlington, noticed a scab forming round the edge of the tattoo and was taken to the family doctor as soon as they returned from the holiday, last summer.

Their GP told them the reaction was caused by para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which is used by rogue tattooists as a cheap alternative to harmless henna.

Miss Mansun, 34, said: "He pestered me for a temporary tattoo and I caved in with two days of the holiday to go.

"By the time we got home his arm had swollen, the tattoo was scabby and he had begun to itch all over.

"He ended up having a bath every hour and was put on antibiotics and a cocktail of other drugs to stop it.

"Now, he has to wear rubber clothes when he uses crayons at school and even his new school uniform caused a skin reaction because of certain dyes used in them. I can't even buy cheap socks in case the dye runs on to his feet.

"While in Turkey I saw loads of children with scabs on their arms from these cheap tattoos. I want other parents to be aware of the dangers because the consequences can be much more serious than what happened to my son.