DAY centre staff will be getting tattoos on Thursday to raise awareness of dementia - with people invited to get their own done at a pub in the evening.

Workers at Etherstone Day Centre in Leigh, which looks after visitors with dementia, will be getting inked at Cut Throat Tattoo Studio on Warrington Road.

They will be having "forget me not" flower designs - a nationally recognised symbol for dementia awareness - etched onto their skin.

Mark Cain from the studio will then be at the Britannia pub on St Helens Road from 6.30pm to use his skills to give people tattoos.

Manager at the Neild Gardens home, Julie Herbert, said: "The staff are always wanting to do something to raise awareness of dementia and show their commitment.

"I am really proud of them - they come up with some wonderful ideas.

"I am a dementia champion in the borough and we invite any business or organisation to do things that make them more dementia-friendly.

"It makes them more aware of the condition and lets them know how they can help."

The care home employees will also be having the flower designs sewn onto their uniforms.

Leigh Journal:

The badge day centre staff are set to have sewn onto their uniforms

Leigh Journal:

Cut Throat Tattoo Studio owner Mark Cain

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Mark said: "The landlord of the Britannia pub, Peter Taylor, came in the shop a month ago and told me about the idea of having tattoos done at the pub for dementia.

"Then we all had a meeting to discuss the event.

"I have been brought up from a young age with living with people who have dementia.

"My dad's mum had dementia and my mum's mum had Alzheimer's disease.

"I have seen how it destroys personalities and chips away at people - it is not pleasant to see."

Anyone wanting to get a tattoo at the pub will be asked to pay £20 plus a donation of their choice.

A raffle will also be held there too.

Money raised will go to Alzheimer's Society

A Justgiving page has also been set up. To donate to it click here.