You have to wonder if there were times during the last year when Charlie Mills thought his luck may have finally run out.

The tattooist acquired the moniker Lucky Charlie after surviving a 120mph crash during a motorbike race in 2012.

Although left permanently paralysed in the left arm, doctors told him he was lucky to survive at all.

And while he was unable to continue racing or working as a towbar fitter, as Charlie maintained the use of his right arm he could turn to his other hobby - art.

He completed his first designs just a few months after the crash and since then the former Archway pupil has gone strength to strength, winning awards for his work and opening a new tattoo studio near Nailsworth in December 2020.

Stroud News and Journal:

But the third lockdown meant he was forced to close just a month later.

"Business has definitely been different this past year," said Charlie.

"We’ve had periods when we have had to close like a lot of other businesses.

"But we have kept busy during those times by creating and selling artwork and just trying to keep positive while looking forward to starting back tattooing."

Luckily, there have been no more lockdowns since Charlie was able to reopen in April.

"Since the reopening of my new studio I have been really busy tattooing at the studio and at a few tattoo shows, and I have taken on my fiancé as an apprentice tattoo artist," he said.

"We are very grateful for the support from our wonderful clients who have made this possible for us.

"We are looking forward to seeing what 2022 brings!"

Click the gallery above or go to facebook.com/luckycharliestattoostudio to see more of Charlie's designs.