A Sittingbourne tattoo artist is set to ink the stars after his skills have been recognised on a global stage.

Alex Crook, who runs his own private studio in the town, has been asked to go to the prestigious Manchester International Tattoo Show.

The invitation to demonstrate his skills alongside the world’s tattoo elite is all the more impressive considering Alex has only been in the industry for three years.

The former Fulston Manor School pupil started out in the trade after meeting his ex-girlfriend’s sister, who was a licenced tattoo artist in Sevenoaks.

Using her tattoo machine, Alex started slowly by needling his designs on grapefruits and fake skin - a type of latex that can be worn by people so trainee tattooists can experience the sensation of working around human joints.

Just months after he picked up a needle for the first time, he had obtained his own licence and started working for several studios in the Sevenoaks area.

The 31-year-old said: “I’ve been an artist for most of my life - doing realistic pencil drawings. I thought it would be impossible when I first tried tattooing but it came naturally to me.

“I had issues at some of the places I first worked at, like them not mopping the floor in-between clients and saying I used too much kitchen roll, so I started this place up in April 2013.”

His business, which is based in Chegworth Gardens, has gone from strength to strength since then, with a devoted roster of clientele who believe his talents are unmatched and a three month long waiting list to prove it.

The convention in late February in Manchester, will see him tattoo an Incredible Hulk and a portrait on two of his customers, while he is watched by eager ink fans and some of his industry’s heavyweights.

After this, the heavily-tattooed Alex said he hopes to go to more conventions, including one renowned gathering in New York City.

He added: “For me, it is about becoming a contributor to the world and I would like to enjoy the industry as much as possible.

“I’ve been tattooed by world-class artists and I don’t see much difference so it seems possible to me that I could fly over the world going to conventions. Every day there’s someone new springing up so you’ve got to keep on your toes.”

For more information about getting tattooed by Alex and to view his work, visit www.alexandart.webs.com/ or call his business manager David Sawyer on 0776 9917277.