A TATTOO studio in Poole has helped raise over a thousand pounds by giving tattoos of bees in memory of the Manchester attack victims.

Cult XIII in Ashley Road has joined studios across the world in supporting the Manchester Tattoo Appeal, which has so far raised over £200,000.

Owner Danny Edwards and his team have tattooed around 30 people so far with the bee symbol, raising £1,520. He said more people had asked to be inked with the distinctive tattoo, with all proceeds going to those directly impacted by the terror attack.

“We do a lot of charity work between our own appointments, but this attack has affected everyone really so we wanted to support the appeal.

“We’ve been doing the bee tattoos over three or four days between other appointments and after work. We’ve still had more people asking for one.”

He continued: “We’ve had quite a lot of people from the north and Manchester who’ve moved down here coming in to get the tattoo. We’ve had locals as well, of all ages. For some, it was their first tattoo. And one person said they were friends with one of the families affected by the attack.

“I think this tattoo appeal is quite unique as it was such a devastating thing to happen and people want to show some solidarity.”

The history of the bee as a motif for Manchester dates back to the Industrial Revolution, when the city was at the centre of textile manufacturing.

It is believed the busy workers in the mills were commonly compared to bees in their hives, and so the association was born.

Tattoo artist Sam Barber, who set up the campaign, said it was a symbol of strength for proud Mancunians.

She said had heard from friends and relatives of some of the victims, A&E staff who were working on the night of the attack, and others who "just want to feel part of something."

She added: "The tattoo means something different to each person that's getting it.

"It can be seen as a badge of honour or some people are doing it as a remembrance tattoo for a loved one."