Tattoo tribute to Afghan war dead

Mr Clark is hoping to raise money for injured servicemen and women

A former infantryman has honoured British soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan by having each of their 232 names tattooed on his body.

Shaun Clark, 43, spent hours under the needle on Remembrance Day having the names tattooed over his chest and back.

The married father-of-two from Doncaster is raising money for the Help for Heroes charity through sponsorship.

He said: "I know it's a bit extreme... but it's my way of honouring all those men and women."

Mr Clark, who now works as a court officer, served with the 8th Battalion Light Infantry Regiment from 1989 to 1996.

Help for Heroes supports members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in service.

The family thought I was mad to begin with, but they've come round to the idea now Shaun Clark

Mr Clark has set up a page on the Just Giving website where people can sponsor him.

A Help for Heroes spokesman said: "We are used to people going the extra mile, but this goes far beyond the norm.

"Shaun was in touch a few days ago to confirm everything was going ahead.

"It turned out to be a very poignant conversation because the volunteer who took the call lost her husband in action earlier in the year and, of course, his name is among those on the list."

The list of names will be updated each year if necessary

Mr Clark said: "[The volunteer] said it was a brilliant idea, but I could tell that she'd got a lump in her throat and was getting really emotional as we were talking."

He said his skin would "hurt like hell for a while".

But he added: "I don't mind suffering for a few days if I can let the lads know that people really care about what they're doing out there, and raise some money for the guys coming home wounded as well.

"The family thought I was mad to begin with, but they've come round to the idea now, and my wife is backing me all the way."

Tattoo artist Kevin Kent, who gave his services for free, drew up a list of all the British casualties in Afghanistan since April 2002 with the help of the Ministry of Defence.

The men will update the list of names each year if necessary.