THE news TV presenter Fern Britton has just got her first tattoo at the age of 53 may have raised some eyebrows, but it seems that being ‘inked’ is a growing craze among the fairer sex.

While tattoos were once only for men – and usually those in the military – some tattoo studios in Oxford say females now represent the bulk of their customers.

Of course women have always had tattoos, although up until quite recently they have usually been of the more discreet variety: angels, flowers or butterflies on a shoulder, perhaps.

But tattooing has evolved into ‘body art’ and is stretching across the generations, with mothers and even grandmothers dedicating large areas of their bodies to the tattooist’s needle.

Jacqui Moore, 41, from Cutteslowe, Oxford, is a living, breathing work of art.

The mum-of-two had tattoos in her teens and like many people who were tattooed so young, grew to dislike the designs.

When her marriage ended in divorce in her 30s, she went for a new tattoo to hide an old one.

There, she promptly fell in love with her tattooist and embarked on a mission to turn her body into an art gallery.

Now in her 40s, she is almost covered from head to foot. She explained: “In my teens, having tattoos was a form of rebellion. But later in life they have become a way of expressing myself.

“I met Curly at Lionel’s Tattoo Studio in the Cowley Road. Eight years on I am tattooed all across my back, my front, my arms and one leg. Only one leg is clear and we are working on covering that.

“It’s not about drawing attention to myself at all. In fact, I get quite a lot of bad reactions to my tattoos and some people even cross the road when they see me coming.

“I love the art and feeling like I am a living, breathing and continually adapting piece of art.

“Curly and I discuss the designs together, and, of course, having my own personal tattooist has saved me a lot of money.”

Jacqui’s partner, and tattooist, Curly Moore, 45, from Oxford, said: “I love Jacqui’s tattoos. I love that they are my designs and that they are beautiful and that she really stands out from the crowd!”

* Sam Lucas loved tattooing so much – she bought the company!

Mrs Lucas, 39, from Bicester, opened Abingdon Ink Body Art three years ago.

She said: “I love tattoos – I have a full back piece, a sleeve (where your whole arm is covered) and I even have a tattoo on the inside of my lip. I am now working on my thighs.”

She continued: “I suppose it is pretty unusual for a woman to own a tattoo studio, but having tattoos de-stresses me and I love to see others having them too. I actually started as a tattooist, but when I was given the nickname “the butcher” I decided to give it up.

“The oldest woman we have tattooed here was an 87-year-old. But we have lots of mums and daughters coming in together.

“I think tattoos were once taboo for women but now they are more accepted while still reflecting a bit of naughtiness!”

Sharon Hansard, 51, from Abingdon, is a regular at Abingdon Ink. She said: “Attitudes are changing. My daughters think it is great, but my elderly aunt thinks it’s shocking.”