A SUPERMARKET worker is following the Yellow Brick Road to fundraising success after having a tattoo of his favourite musical characters emblazoned across his chest.

Martin Chalmers, from Darlington, hopes to raise £500 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) by having the Wizard of Oz-themed body art.

The 42-year-old was under the needle for more than seven hours today (January 27).

An artist from Inkhaus, in Yarm, has completed the first part of the tattoo, which will be the focal point of the finished work and shows the Wicked Witch character.

Mr Chalmers, 42, will be back at work at Sainsbury’s Local, in Duke Street, Darlington, on Monday.

He will return to the tattoo parlour next month, when the first section has had a chance to heal, for the remainder of the work.

He said: “I was thinking of getting another tattoo, I’ve already got a couple already and through work we sponsor the air ambulance.

“So I thought I would get a Wizard of Oz one, as it is my favourite film.

“At the next session, they will do the other characters – Dorothy, the Tin Man and the cowardly Lion.”

Mr Chalmers described the marathon tattoo session as “agony” and said an MP3 player is a must for anyone planning to follow suit.

He has already collected more than £400 and hopes further donations from customers will boost the tally further still.

A GNAAS spokesman said: “We would like to thank Mr Chalmers for showing such remarkable commitment to the cause.

“It never ceases to amaze us the lengths people go to for the charity, and this is certainly one of the more unusual fundraisers.

“The aircraft rely on this kind of goodwill and although tattooing is perhaps not for everyone, this gesture will help support the lifesaving service all the same.”