A TATTOO artist wants to open Ryedale's only body-art parlour in Malton.

But the plan has sparked claims that tattoos and piercings are neither "wanted nor needed" in rural North Yorkshire.

Steve Southwick is hoping to convert the derelict amusement arcade in Castlegate. If he gets the go-ahead, his body art studio would be the only one of its kind in the district.

But just days after Mr Southwick applied for planning permission, he is already facing opposition.

County councillor Mike Knaggs, who represents Malton, said: "I accept that the existing amusement arcade is a wreck, and needs boarding up, but we don't need or want a tattoo parlour."

Mr Southwick, of Sledmere, in East Yorkshire, said there were plenty of people in towns like Malton and Pickering who would make use of a tattoo parlour - many of whom have to travel to York or Scarborough.

Mr Southwick, 37, has worked in Scarborough for a number of years - and has been interested in tattoos since he was a teenager. He said: "I want to get away from the seaside-type parlour, doing little things for tourists. I'm more into custom design work."

He added: "It's no different to a dentist or a hairdresser.

''The customer comes and picks a tattoo and makes an appointment. Around one on eight adults has a tattoo now."

Robert Biggs, who owns the premises Mr Southwick will rent said: "That arcade looked terribly run down, and people were over the moon to here it was going to become a retail outlet and get tidied up."

However, town councillor Chris Harding also took a dim view of the proposal. He said: "I think we should support this, because I don't think it will last long anyway. The last one certainly didn't."

In June last year, a tattoo parlour, the New York Piercing and Tattoo Theatre, was given planning permission to open in Market Street.

That was despite fears from nearby solicitors that "groans and shrikes of pain" would emanate from the business.

But the parlour never opened. A spokeswoman for Ryedale District Council's environmental health department confirmed there were no any registered tattoo parlours anywhere in Ryedale.

Coun Knaggs said: "This sort of thing is better suited to York or Scarborough, not Malton. It didn't work before and it won't work now."

He added: "Not only that, it would be in a bad place. There are enough shops down Castlegate already. It's a very busy road at the best of times, and this won't help."

Malton Town Council has already voted to support the plan. Ryedale District Council planners have launched a period of public consultation into the scheme. Comments are welcome until April 19.

Updated: 14:46 Wednesday, April 05, 2006