ENVIRONMENTAL Health bosses have moved to stamp-out the trade of backroom skin art in Rossendale after it was revealed a 13-year-old girl had been given an illegal tattoo.

An investigation was launched after the girl's father complained to the council when his daughter returned home displaying the body art.

It is believed the girl, who has not been named, got the tattoo at a backroom parlour in the borough. The tattoo artist has since been shut down, but the council is warning people to be aware of the dangers of the illegal trade.

Secondary schools and youth groups have been contacted by council officers to highlight the dangers.

A council investigation uncovered anecdotal evidence of a regular trade for unscrupulous operators to tattoo minors by operating from garden sheds or backrooms, which led to poor quality tattoos and exposed the customer to significant risk of infection.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 and the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 regulate the tattooing industry. The law requires businesses to register with the local authority who carry out regular inspections of hygiene and record-keeping.

All bone fide businesses have to display their registration certificate in a conspicuous place. The law also prohibits the tattooing of any person under the age of 18.

Rossendale Council's senior environmental health officer David Pierce said: "We have concluded our investigation into this particular incident and the operator in question has been closed down, but we want people to be aware of the risks illegal tattooing presents and to make it clear that it is illegal for anyone under 18 to get a tattoo."

Council leader Peter Steen said: "Illegal tattooing can put youngsters' health at risk of skin and other infections which can result in kidney failure. It is a common misconception that parents can consent to their child having a tattoo. Consent cannot be given any more than consent can be given to allow an under age person to buy cigarettes or alcohol".