Creating a buzz at Telford Tattoo Freeze - with pictures

The annual convention, now in its ninth year, returned to Telford's International Centre to celebrate the rich history of tattoo artistry, and the alternative culture that surrounds it.

This year the event has been spread over two days, with Saturday focusing on the practice of tattooing solely, and Sunday having additional entertainment and sister event Camper Mart in a connecting event hall.

Over 200 of the world's best tattoo artists travelled far and wide for the weekend event to showcase their differing styles, and offer attendees the chance to get a brand new tattoo in a unique environment.

It wasn't just the sound of tattoo guns buzzing that created an electric atmosphere, the passion of every attendee added to the welcoming atmosphere that Tattoo Freeze champions.

Tattoo Freeze aims to dissipate the stigma surrounding the body modification industry - and it certainly seemed to with people from all walks of life coming together due to one shared love for tattoos.

This welcoming atmosphere attracts many attendees to return year after year.

Sophie Beattie, 23, from Wolverhampton, who had come to the convention to endure a gruelling 11-hour tattoo sitting with Julian Atkins of Wolverhampton's Inky G's Tattoo Studio, said: "I've been coming to Tattoo Freeze for five years now. I went with my uncle at first and fell in love, so I've come every year since.

"I return each year because there is so much variety. There's lots of different tattoo artists and entertainment to appeal to everyone. There's so many different styles on offer you can really learn something new each time you attend.

"I think it is a good idea that it is over two days now, it means that there is a day geared more towards tattoo enthusiasts now and then another to families."

Variety is something Tattoo Freeze has in abundance. With more than 200 artists to choose from, there is a style of tattooing for just about every taste and price range.

Over the course of the weekend artists in attendance can enter different tattoo competitions with work they have completed at the convention - with categories such as Best Avant-Garde, Best Traditional, Best Realism, and the coveted Best Of Convention judged on Sunday.

For those who don't wish to get tattooed there was an array of stalls to browse selling everything from taxidermy, vapes, jewellery, clothing, homeware and artisan moonshine.

Sunday saw even more of the weird and wonderful as a whole host of family-friendly entertainment began.

With Katie Dee Burlesque, face painting, circus workshops, street performers, caricatures, snake charming, craft workshops, robot building and more - Sunday has more entertainment than you can shake a stick at.

Once tired from all of the excitement of the day, revellers could sample a range of different food and drink from the large food hall, or alternatively purchase a unique and beautiful cake from returning vendors The Custom Cupcake Co.

Whether you're tattooed from head-to-toe or simple have a love for all things artistic - Tattoo Freeze has something on offer for the whole family to enjoy, and continues to impress year after year.