By George

Robb, 39, has had his entire back covered with a dramatic design depicting St George in his legendary battle with a dragon.

The building supplies manager, who lives in Devizes Road, Swindon already had a series of patriotic tattoos, but wanted something extra special to celebrate St George's day today.

The design was created with the help of experts at the Skin Graffitti salon in Commercial Road, and applied gradually over the last nine-months.

Mr Forty, who lives with his partner Anita Bloxham, 32, is delighted with the finished tableau.

He said: "It feels a bit sore, but it's wonderful to have it at last. I've wanted this for a long time.

"I had some old tattoos and wanted something to cover them over.

"I'm please to say Anita also loves it."

Robb is devoted to his country, and says it is wrong to associate patriotism with racism.

"It is such a shame that people think that because you are patriotic, it automatically means you are bigoted," he said.

"Of course, some people are, but they are a minority.

"I wanted this design because I'm passionate about the country I love, and I'm proud to be English."

Robb now hopes to get several more tattoos done, although he admits he is fast running out of space.

The tattoo was carefully built up over 15 sittings, and based on classical paintings and a Swindon mural.

Mike Hervin, 34, who applied the design, said: "The hardest thing was coming up with something that hadn't been done before.

"Many traditional images show the dragon already slain, so we decided to have the beast swooping down on St George from the clouds.

"Robb's request was quite unusual as we don't get many calls for patriotic designs."

l Just who is St George? See pages 6 and 7

Tamash Lal