TATTOOIST Paul Curnock will be making his mark on drinkers in a Bolton pub this weekend.

Mr Curnock will be holding tattooing sessions at The Royal Hotel in Vernon Street, Halliwell, to raise funds towards a five-year-old boy's lifesaving treatment.

And the 34-year-old, who has been tattooing professionally for 13 years, is keen to hear from other pubs that might like to host similar events in aid of Great Lever youngster, Nathan Howarth.

Mr Curnock said the sessions will be inspected by an environmental health officer and stressed that despite the venue no one would be allowed to go home with a tattoo they regret in the morning. He said: "My philosophy is that anyone who's drunk doesn't get a tattoo."

Mr Curnock became involved with the Nathan Howarth appeal after meeting the five-year-old's dad Mick Howarth at Thai Boxing events. The tattooist who has three children, Hayley, aged eight, Burt, aged nine, and 11-year-old Romey, said he was touched by Nathan's plight. Nathan, aged five, was born with rare genetic illness fanconi anaemia which affects blood cells and bone marrow. His family has raised £76,000 towards the £220,000 target which would meet the cost of potentially life-saving treatment in the United States.

Sessions are at The Royal, 12 noon to 7pm tomorrow and Sunday, with the smallest tattoos starting from £20. Half the profits will be go to the Nathan Howarth Appeal. Landlords interested in hosting similar events should contact Nathan's mother Denise Kelly on 07802 694448 or Mr Curnock on 07944 029224