A Rickmansworth tattooist has picked up a top award at an international exhibition.

Emil Salmin won first place in the large colour category at the prestigious Manchester International Tattoo Show.

The winning tattoo is a huge design taking up the whole of the customer’s chest, it took more than nine months to complete.

Emil originally hails from Latvia but has worked at Renaissance Tattoo in Station Road for two-and-a-half years.

He said: "I was shocked to win the award because my client Kenny entered it without me knowing.

"I couldn't believe it when they called my name out and I thought someone was joking with me.

"Kenny was a very good sitter which made everything easier. I've been very lucky working at Renaissance Tattoo and my work has really improved there under their guidance because they've given me complete creative freedom, something that's important to every artist."

The studio owner Adie Kitachi said: "He cut his teeth with us a Renaissance and we're all very proud of his huge achievement, especially as his win was three years to the day after our devastating break-in."