Edinburgh proves a just capital for fans of tattoos

The city is home to more people with permanent body ink than anywhere else in the country, with three in ten people having at least one inked image.

Exeter and Brighton came first and second in the UK poll, followed by Belfast, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

A spokesman for www.One Poll.com, which carried out the research published yesterday, said: "Despite the pain, a tattoo has become a popular way of expressing yourself.

"For many, tattoos can mean a lot - something to remember a big event in your life your child's or partner's name."

Researchers revealed that almost 29 per cent of Brits have a tattoo, with almost one in 20 displaying five or more images on their bodies.

And four in ten of those with the body art admitted that they were under 18 when they got their first tattoo. But it hasn't always gone to plan as almost one in 20 people had to put up with an infection after getting the body art.

More than one in five also admitted they regretted getting a tattoo, with 21 per cent thinking about having a tattoo removed.