DOTING Ramsbottom dad Craig Butterworth has endured the "pain" of separation from his son -- by having an image of his baby's face tattooed on to his arm!

The 32-year-old gym instructor took the unusual step after claiming his former partner barred him from seeing son, Coby, who was born last November.

But now, thanks to the tattoo, Craig can see his son's face any time of the day.

Craig, of Cemetery Road, explained: "My partner and I were together for 12 months but we split up after Coby was born. The last time I saw him was six weeks ago. But now I've been refused access and I don't know when I'll see my son again."

That prompted him to have an image of Coby's face tattooed on to his arm and his son's date of birth put on his back.

"The whole thing was very painful. It took about four hours to complete. But it's something totally different," he added. "Having a tattoo of Coby is better than having a dog or some other picture on my body. I'm sure that when he's older, Coby will be proud of what I've done."