MECHANIC-mad Ian Tennision has a soft spot for Fred Dibnah — on the underside of his right arm to be precise!

Mr Tennison, aged 45, paid £140 and endured four hours in the tattooist’s chair to have the image of Bolton legend Fred applied.

“I was Fred’s biggest fan,” explained Mr Tennision. “My dad introduced me to the television documentaries when I was a kid in the 1970s. I was mad about him.”

As a youngster, Mr Tennison was lucky enough to meet Fred a number of times at the nationwide steam rallies he visited with his father.

It triggered a life-long interest in all things Fred, so it was no surprise that Mr Tennison happily accompanied his friend, Roy Bottamley, from their homes in Scunthorpe last Thursday, to Fred’s former home, to collect £1,500 of Fred’s equipment and machinery which Mr Bottamley bid for at auction.

Mr Tennison is a joiner by trade, but spends every spare minute tinkering away mending tractors, cars and machinery.

“It’s a real passion and I love it,” he said,

Mr Tennison revealed he soon hopes to pay further tribute to Fred by having a chimney tattoo inked up his spine.

“People think I’m a bit eccentric but I don’t care,” he laughed.

Do you have a tattoo of a hero or heroine, a favourite place or landmark, or as a souvenir of a special occasion?

If so, The Bolton News would love to hear from you.

Contact newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or send your pictures to

pictures@theboltonnews.co.uk