A borough tattoo artist from Brazil is using his creative skills to put smiles on children's faces this Christmas.

Louis Santos opened his studio, Louis Santos Tattoo in Whitefield, in June after moving back to the borough from Leeds.

The 41-year-old has launched an appeal, which he has named "Tattoo for a Toy".

Customers are asked to buy a toy and bring it to the studio, before Louis discusses with the client how much the product is worth.

The artist will then work with the customer to design a tattoo of the same value before it is inked. He will only be accepting new toys and he will need to see the receipt.

Louis has not decided where the toys will be donated but he is considering dropping them off at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

He said: “It feels good to help as we’re living in difficult times and I’m sure not every child will have the opportunity to receive a toy this Christmas.

“I thought it would be nice to use my capabilities to be able to help people out.”

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People can only drop off toys on December 17, 19 and 20 at his studio, which is located on 66 Bury Old Road above Forever Studio.

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Louis was born in Olinda in Brazil but came to Heywood in 1999 aged 17.

He said: “My mum married my stepdad who is from Heywood, so we lived there and then the first tattoo studio I worked at was in Bury.”

Louis said the move was a big culture shock and he had to get used to learning a new language, how different the weather was and how his life had turned completely different.

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He first became interested in tattooing when he discovered heavy metal music while still living in Brazil and was introduced to a Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura.

At the age of 18, Louis got his first tattoo by Gary Parkinson at the Bolton Tat Shop and became hooked.