AN Ipswich tattoo artist has won a hat trick of prizes at tattoo conventions over the summer.And talented Trevor Davey served an unlikely artistic apprenticeship – as a sign writer for Ipswich Borough Council!"I was very pleased," said Mr Davey, of Haggars Mead, Earl Stonham, who swapped paintbrush for tattooist's needle seven years ago to open The Inkspot tattoo parlour on Norwich Road.

AN Ipswich tattoo artist has won a hat trick of prizes at tattoo conventions over the summer.

And talented Trevor Davey served an unlikely artistic apprenticeship – as a sign writer for Ipswich Borough Council!

"I was very pleased," said Mr Davey, of Haggars Mead, Earl Stonham, who swapped paintbrush for tattooist's needle seven years ago to open The Inkspot tattoo parlour on Norwich Road.

He wowed judges at the Blackpool Tattoo Convention last month, scooping the £1,000 Best Tattoo of Convention prize for a futuristic design he etched on to the leg of his girlfriend Marisa Carroll, 26 (pictured).

He also won the best tribal female category with a Polynesian design on a woman's back.

And the month before, he was runner-up at the Peterborough Tattoo Convention for his reproduction of a tiger's head on Ipswich taxi-driver Stuart Snowling.

"I've always wanted to be a tattooist," Said Mr Davey, who sports a few tats himself. "It's all I ever wanted to do since school."

And of his switch from painting signs to bodies, he said. "It's the best move I ever made."