‘I had my city tattooed on me to express who I am’

A Hull man is so proud of his city’s landmarks that he has them tattooed on one of his arms.

Gareth Ashton, 42, got his first Hull-dedicated tattoo – a tiger representing the city’s football club – in 2017, the year Hull was crowned the UK City of Culture.

Among the ink covering Mr Ashton’s left arm is a Larkin toad, ships in the sea, and chip sauce – a culinary favourite which originated in Hull in the 1970s.

“I think the stigma is changing now and [tattoos] are more acceptable than they were years ago. It’s just an expression of who we are,” he said.

Mr Ashton also has a tattoo of Hull’s BHS monument, which depicts three trawlers, commemorating the city’s fishing fleet.

“It’s just one of the big landmarks that stands out. It almost just feels a bit like home because it’s there and you see it all the time,” he said.

Also inked on his arm is a drawing of Jean Bishop, the city’s beloved “Bee Lady”.

Ms Bishop was a dedicated fundraiser for Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire who raised more than £125,000 for local charities over 30 years.

Mr Ashton – who said “there is always room to add more” art to his arm – added: “If we can all just be a bit more like Jean, I think the world will be a better place.”