The buzz of ink-dipped needles and those that love them came to the city this weekend in the form of the Norwich Body Art festival.

Running over Saturday and today at St Andrew's Hall, when it finished at 8pm tonight the event is expected have drawn nearly 2000 people and features graffiti displays, clothes, music- and, of course, a wide array of tattooing talent.

Emma Garwood,27, is a co-organiser of the event and said: 'It seems to really capture the imagination, and times are changing with people's reactions to tattoos, and there's no harm in aiding that- we want to change preconceptions.

'When members of the public pass by tattooists they might find it intimidating but here there's no pressure to get one, they can just have a look.'

With everything from families with young children to full-on ink enthusiasts milling around the stalls, bands like local heroes Dumbfoundus and Vagaband have performed, while drag queen Pequlia entertained the crowds as compere last night.

Among the 85 body artists was a man who had come from America specifically to create a Star Wars tattoo at the event, those practising traditional techniques and Hewy, who works for Indigo Tattoos, based on Lower Goat Lane.

In between illustrating a client's arm, he said: 'I've been doing this for over ten years and events like this are good for Norwich as they bring people into the city and shows how alternative it can be.'

•Are you putting on an alternative event? Call reporter John Owens on 01603 772439 or email john.owens@archant.co.uk