Kidderminster mum has to hide on Halloween as tattoos 'frighten children'

Melissa Sloan – also known as 'Britain's most tattooed mum' – revealed why Halloween is a difficult time of year for her. Sadly, her tattoos can prove to be frightening to trick-or-treaters

Melissa Sloan isn't like the typical parent you'd see at the school gates.

That's because the Kidderminster-based parent is covered from head to toe in jaw-dropping inkings. In fact, she's become known as 'Britain's most tattooed mum' as she has so many of them.

While the 47-year-old loves her body art, there are some drawbacks that come with standing out from the crowd. While some judge her, others don't let her be part of their celebrations.

That is especially evident on Halloween, when children tend to keep their distance. This has made trick-or-treating quite the ordeal for Melissa and her family.

She explained: "I don't need a Halloween costume – my tattoos already scare the kids, enough as it is. They are creeped out by my appearance daily but I have to be extra cautious during the spooky season."

Melissa, who has around 800 intricate inkings, says people rarely knock on her door during the festivity. She explained: “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.

“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. She has been banned from numerous venues and 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.”