THE CHAIRMAN of Wotton-under-Edge’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce has fulfilled a pledge to have the chamber’s crest tattooed on him if it reaches in excess of 100 new members.

The feat equals the resurgent chamber’s numbers five years ago after president Alex Wilkinson stated that every business in the town should belong to the chamber three months ago.

To celebrate its 100th member, who is a tattooist , Mr Wilkinson had the crest tattooed on his arm.

While the tattoo may only be a temporary one, the chamber’s president is keen to see the growing popularity of the trade organisation last much longer.

“I am delighted that my campaign is working especially when considering some of the problems small businesses continue to face in the current economic climate,” he said.

“We are now a much stronger voice in the town but we could be even stronger.

“There are still some business which have not yet joined and there is scope for achieving even higher levels.”

Modern electronic tattooist Tom Procter signed up his new business Ink Creative, which trades on Market Street, saying Wotton was the ideal location to set up.

“I was working in Yate until I decided to try and go it alone by setting up my own studio in Wotton and I am delighted to have become its 100th member,” he said.

“I feel that being part of this organisation gives me a much firmer base on which I can rest my business.”

The Wotton-under-Edge Chamber of Trade was reformed in 2005 after a gap of five years and acts as a voice for local commerce.

It works in partnership with other organisations to promote and develop business in Wotton and the surrounding area and to ensure that it remains healthy.