A Melksham tattoo artist is hoping to expand his business when he moves into a former bookstore across the road from his current shop.

Stewart Fish, who has run South of Heaven body art in Church Street for three years, is currently waiting for planning permission from Wiltshire Council to change the use of the former What the Dickens bookshop so he can set about expanding his business.

Mr Fish said at present it is only him running the business with an apprentice helping out and training, but he is hoping that as the new building is slightly bigger he will be able to employ more tattoo artists in the future.

He said: “Even the window of the shop is bigger than the one we are currently in. What I want people to know is that we want to expand so that is why we are moving.

“We want to stay in Melksham and serve the people here.”

Mr Fish said there is a waiting list of months for appointments and people have travelled from as far afield as Swindon and Oxford for his services.

Mr Fish has already taken up the lease of the former bookshop, and is now waiting for a decision on the planning permission.