TWO sisters have made a lasting mark for Children in Need — by having Pudsey Bear tattooed on their hips!

Becky Thomas, aged 18, and her sister Claire, aged 27, have had an identical 2ins image of the famous charity character permanently tattooed in an attempt to raise cash for this Friday's annual event.

The pair, both of West Street, Gorseinon, said they had been inspired to do it by a television advert encouraging people to come up with unusual fundraising ideas.

Becky, who works as a lifeguard at Gorseinon swimming pool, said they had been nervous about getting the body art, despite already both having tattoos.

"We just thought it would be a good idea,'' she said.

"We'd never heard of anyone doing that before. But we were nervous about the pain.''

She said that prior to getting them done they took in a picture of Pudsey to the State of the Art Tattoo Emporium in St Helen's Road, Swansea.

"We showed the staff what we wanted beforehand,'' she said.

"We both decided a few months ago we were going to do it and we wanted them done on our hips.''

The full colour designs took about 30 minutes to be tattooed.

Becky said the duo's parents Hugh and Christine Thomas had warned them to think about it properly as the tattoos would be for life, but were supportive and had sponsored them.

Mother-of-two, Claire said she and her sister were delighted with the results.

"They look really cute,'' she said.

"I've got paws tattooed on my wrist and two K's back-to-back on my neck, but this one hurt the most for me."

She said the two K's stood for her two daughter's names Kirsten, eight and Kaiden, three.

The sisters have raised more than £200 and hope to reach at least £250 by Friday.