A tattooist is taking the unusual step of expanding his business away from a hectic city centre - to the calmer ambience of a public toilet.

John Weston has been a well respected tattoo artist for the past 30 years.

He set up his Wizard of Ink studio in North Road, Brighton.

But having hit 53 he has decided to leave his well trained colleagues in charge of the city centre business and wind down in a toilet next to his house.

Mr Weston, of Wild Park House in Home Farm Road, has put in a change of use application to Brighton and Hove City Council to have the public lavatory converted into a smaller tattoo studio.

He said: “It used to be a toilet many years ago, but it is no bog-standard loo, it actually looks a little bit like a mini cottage - it’s really nice.”

Mr Weston said the 36ft by 16ft building on land next to his house was the perfect place for him to carry on his work away from the bustle of central Brighton.

He said: “I'm getting a bit old for it to be honest – it's more a calming down measure.

“I will still have a steady supply of customers but it won't be as busy as the North Road studio.

“It's next to my house and I rent it but I have to make an application for a change of use if I am going to use it as my new studio.

“I'm set to go, I know it will be a success.”

A council spokesman said: “We do own the loo. He has applied for change of use.

“It’s the law of the land that if you change the use of a building the local council needs to have a look at it.

“The rules aim to stop incongruous activities spoiling the environment.

“We’re keeping a completely open mind on it. It may be decided by officers under their delegated powers or if more than five people object, it would go to planning committee.”