Youngsters queued for four hours outside a tattoo parlour that was offering a Friday 13th discount.

Teenagers waited patiently in line, a few with their parents, some of who also put their names down as word of the cut-price body art spread.

Ravens Nest, in Wrotham Road, Gravesend, offers the discount every Friday 13th.

Owner Stuart Walsh, 50, said: “It’s just got crazy this month as word went round.

“Even accompanying mums signed up for a piercing or tattoo. We are very careful about handling youngsters – you have to be at least 18 and we insist on ID.

“If it’s for a piercing, under-16s can have it done but they need parental consent on a signed form.”

Former private detective Stuart only does piercing; the tattoos are done his by colleagues David Chicote, 24, and former courtroom sketch artist Penny Wood, 43.

The Friday 13th promotion cut the price of a piercing from £25 to £13, while tattoos – which have to be booked – were reduced from an average of £35 to also £13.

Most of those queuing last week were youngsters seeking piercings.

Stuart started the business eight years ago with wife Patricia and is today helped at the reception desk by their daughter, Sophie, 22, who is also training to be a tattooist, under the watchful eyes of David and Penny.

“When we first started doing discounts we had about 30 customers on the day. Now it’s more than 200,” Stuart said.

And it’s not just the younger generation interested either. Some customers, both men and women, are in their 80s.

Stuart added: “Grandparents are at it, too. They like to have their grandchildren’s names tattooed on their arms and wrists.

“For those with lots of them, it goes all the way up their arms.

“This job is much more satisfying than being a private detective. I look forward to coming to work every day.”