Britain's most tattooed mum forced to hide over Halloween as extreme ink 'scares kids'

Melissa Sloan from Worcestershire 'hides in the bushes' when she takes her children out trick or treating because her neighbours are 'too afraid' to answer the door to her

As Halloween approaches, one woman has revealed she won't need to find a ghoulish costume because her extreme tattoos are already enough to frighten youngsters.

Ink addict Melissa Sloan has over 800 tattoos including several across her face. And while she loves her body art, she admits it often causes issues in her day-to-day life including time during the ghoulish festivities. The 47-year-old mum from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, claims she is even forced to "hide in the bushes" when she takes her seven children trick or treating – to avoid scaring anyone.

Her own household also rarely receives any knocks on the front door as children are afraid of her looks. "I don't need a Halloween costume – my tattoos already scare the kids, enough as it is," she explained. "They are creeped out by my appearance daily but I have to be extra cautious during the spooky season."

Melissa told What's The Jam: "They are creeped out by my appearance daily but I have to be extra cautious during the spooky season. It makes me upset that I can’t enjoy Halloween fully with my own children.

"I can’t join in trick or treating properly, for instance. Many of my neighbours are afraid to answer the door if I take my kids out. So I have to hide in the bushes or down the road."

She explained: "When I go with them to the door, people are just shocked and look at me – their stares are tiresome. As for my own house, when I open the door to give out sweets, kids sometimes run off. Others won’t even bother trick or treating at my place at all."

Melissa is no stranger to having to hide away her face, however. She has been banned from numerous venues owing to her appearance and even avoids food shopping because people won’t leave her alone.

The situation has escalated so much that she now wears make-up when outside to cover up her ink. Melissa added: "It’s a shame people can’t just understand my facial art and not instantly become cautious.

"I’m forced to hide away and hide the real me. People should accept that my ink is a form of self-expression. I’m still me – Melissa. I just display my creativity on my skin to share it with the world, instead of keeping it under wraps."