A FORMER commando has issued a tattoo warning to young people after spending three years removing the legacy of his military career.

Sam Stone, 42, of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen, had four tattoos done during his time in the Royal Marines and said it was partly peer pressure which led to him going under the needle.

Now wishes he hadn't followed the military tradition of having his body decorated and has spent £3,000 having them removed.

And he has warned youngsters that the current craze for tattoos could affect them for life.

He said: "People should think twice before getting tattoos. Having one removed is more painful than having it done.

"I got mine as it was just something you did in the Marines, there was a certain amount of peer pressure. Now getting tattooed is very fashionable - the thing is, fashions change."

Sam had a bulldog and the name of actress Susan George on his right arm, with his name and a lady in a top hat on his left.

He admitted the body art became a problem when playing golf and at work.

He said: "I run my own businesses in storage, waste and house removals. I would cover my arms when meeting customers - many people would think twice about employing someone with big tattoos on their forearms."

"The laser treatment is brilliant. It's given me a new lease of life. I can wear T-shirts in hot weather!"

Sam's last tattoo, done by a famous artist in Plymouth, was the one he regretted most. He said: "It was more the siting of the tattoo than the actual picture - tattoos on the forearm are so visible. The doctor taking it off commented it was one of the most difficult tattoos he had ever worked on."

Sam has had treatment for three years at the Laserase North West medical laser centre, at the Royal Bolton Hospital, and has another year of treatment left to remove one remaining tattoo.

Denise Leslie, director of Laserase North West, said: "People with professional tattoos can require an average eight to 14 treatments before the tattoo is removed because of the detail and colours involved. The average cost is around £80 to £100."

An Army spokesperson said: "Tattoos are discouraged. They are deemed unacceptable if they are racist or obscene and must not be visible when wearing parade uniform, on the neck, hand or head."