A MUCH-LOVED tattoo artist who lost his battle for life just hours after being admitted to hospital suffering from flu-like symptoms died from an infection which led to blood poisoning, a post mortem has shown.

Kelly Maguire, 38, from the Winton area of Bournemouth, had run Kelly’s Tattoos in Charminster for more than seven years.

The father-of-one was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital by ambulance on New Year’s Eve. But his condition deteriorated and his devastated family gave permission for his life support system to be switched off the next morning.

Touching Facebook tributes have been paid by Kelly’s friends and former customers who have posted images showing his art.

Mike Cannings described Kelly as “a fantastic artist and genuinely nice bloke,” adding: “I always enjoyed my time getting tattooed by Kelly, he always spoke so fondly of his wife and daughter.”

Kathryn Blonde Williams said: “Kelly did four of my tattoos and I have the greatest respect for him. He had such morals and was always so chatty and friendly. He will be sorely missed.”

John Hadland said: “I am so sad to hear of the passing of Kelly. He will be missed by everyone who met him. The world will be less one truly great man.”

Kerry Werrywoo-Matthews said: “We are so sad to hear of the Kelly’s sudden passing. He was a lovely man and we all thought highly of him.

“I thought he was one of the best tattooists I have met and he was a constant source of inspiration for me.”

Dee Chapman said: “RIP Kelly, I will wear my tattoo with pride.”

A mass of floral tributes have been laid outside the Charminster Road tattoo studio in memory of Kelly who was married to Lisa, 38. The couple were childhood sweethearts and had a nine-year-old daughter Sammy.