Dozens of parents who have experienced baby loss have received a free baby footprint tattoo in a touching initiative by a town tattoo parlour.

There was quite the queue outside the Lucky 13 Tattoo Studio on St Margaret's Street, which was offering free tattoos of baby feet in aid of baby loss awareness on Thursday between 8am and 8pm.

Paul Stansby and Jamie Hart, the studio's owners, said they wanted to host the event to help people who lost their babies heal and raise awareness for those who have suffered losses already.

The queue, which varied from in length throughout the day, included Samuel Skinner, 29, from Ipswich.

He said: “My partner and I lost our boy earlier this year, and the pain of it was very tough on both of us. 

"So for us, it is great to see this tattoo shop doing something to raise awareness and show us and parents like us that we aren't alone in the pain that we felt."

Rachel Lock was amongst those who got a foot tattoo'ed on them.Rachel Lock was amongst those who got a foot tattooed on them.  (Image: Lucy Taylor) Another parent Josie Green said: "It was nice for me to get this little feet as a tattoo. 

"It is a nice way to remember the child we lost."

By noon Lucky13 had already inked 100 tattoos, and the team was glad about the number of people who had turned up despite the weather. 

Jamie Hart, left, and Paul Standsby, right, run the tattoo studio.Jamie Hart, left, and Paul Stansby, right, run the tattoo studio.  (Image: Charlotte Bond) Mr Hart said: "People aren't scared of the cold or the rain. 

"We're pleased that everyone is very happy with what they are getting and it's amazing to see the turnout."

After the tattoo, Lucky 13 also offered customers a candle to join in on the initiative by Ipswich Borough Council to light candles at the town hall to commemorate baby loss awareness week.

Dagmarra Boguslawska gave a tattoo to Dominic Carr.Dagmarra Boguslawska gave a tattoo to Dominic Carr. (Image: Lucy Taylor)

This is the second year that the studio is doing this, and last year inked 237 tattoos in a 13-and-a-half-hour day. 

Mr Hart said this year people had come in slowly and they have not seen as long of a line, as a result, the artists have got the time to rest and eat.

However, with the number of tattoos already done, Mr Hart hopes that this year they will ink even more than last year.