Despite disquiet about a proposed tattoo studio opening in Devizes town councillors decided not to object to it.

The town council’s planning committee was considering a planning application by Thomas Swift to open a tattoo studio in the former Michael David hairdressers in Northgate Street. He has applied for a change of use.

Coun Andy Johnson said: “I really don’t think another tattoo studio is appropriate for our town.”

Coun Nigel Carter said: “The proposed studio is for a small part of a building that is largely residential.

"While I share Coun Johnson’s reticence about tattoo studios, I’m confident that given its location it will not be a problem.”

Coun Ted East, chairman of the planning committee, said: “I was reading an article about tattooing and it seems to be more a middle class thing these days.”

The committee agreed there were no valid reasons for objecting and the application will be determined by Wiltshire Council.