AN Evesham tattooist has been named as the best newcomer of the year at a national convention.

Christopher Hallam, aged 32, has been working at Full On Ink, in Port Street, since November 2012 honing his skills.

Earlier this year he was nominated for the award, which is voted for by people online.

Then on Friday, May 16, at the Liverpool Tattoo Convention Mr Hallam discovered he had won the title.

"We were working the convention all weekend and on the Friday they have the industry awards," said Mr Hallam, who lives in Cheltenham. "I was nominated and over the last few months it's been going through the voting stages.

"I was told I had received the award on the Friday. I was definitely excited. I was overwhelmed. It's a big boost to know whilst I have been making a start and getting on with it wanting to make something of it, people high up in the industry have been noticing and congratulating me.

"People I have looked up to came up to me and congratulated me, it was great."