250 tattoo artists from around the world descend on London

The tattooed back of one of the Convention's visitors Photo: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

Tattoo aficionados gathered in London today to open the Eighth London International Tattoo Convention.

More than 250 artists hailing from tattoo parlours from Bulgaria to Singapore, Japan to New Zealand have set out their stalls for the three-day event.

The Convention continues until Sunday at Tobacco Docks in Wapping, east London.

Tattoo artist Durga Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
An unnamed man gets a tattoo on his stomach Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Rich Smith, from Colchester, gets a tattoo on his legs Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Tattoo artist Durga at work Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
An unnamed man gets a tattoo on his stomach Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire