A tattoo artist and "Pokemon nerd" has launched a challenge to tattoo the original 151 creatures on fellow fans in an innovative fundraising challenge.

William Langford is running the project throughout the year with customers able to choose their design from the first generation. 

The series debuted in 1996 with 151 Pokemon.

East Anglian Daily Times: Morena Turnbull with her tattoo of Cubone, done by tattoo artist, William Langford. Credit: Charlotte BondMorena Turnbull with her tattoo of Cubone, done by tattoo artist, William Langford. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mr Langford will be offering the tattoos at Zen Tattoo Art in Stowmarket. 

He said: "I'm a bit of a Pokémon nerd at times anyway, and this was just something nice to do for charity.

"I enjoy drawing cartoons, it is something I haven't done for a while due to me being a realist artist, so it is out of my comfort zone to do something like this.

East Anglian Daily Times: Morena receiving her Cubone tattoo. Credit: Charlotte BondMorena receiving her Cubone tattoo. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"Drawing the characters is something I would have naturally done at some point, so it is quite nostalgic to do, rekindling that love."

All profits he receives from the tattoos will go straight to animal welfare charity, Blue Cross.

He chose this charity after the show recently announced its main character, Ash Ketchum, was leaving the series after 25 years of getting animals to fight amongst each other.

Mr Langford said: "I am hoping to raise around £4,000 by the end of the year.

"The larger the tattoo, the more there is for charity."

Since starting last month, Mr Langford has done around 12 Pokémon characters so far and is regularly updating his Instagram page with the still available characters.

One of those is Morena Turnball, she said: "Will is one of my friends and he knows I am the biggest Pokémon nerd he has ever come across.

"I had been debating and talking with him for the past few years about getting a Pokémon tattoo, so when I heard he was doing this for charity, I thought I had no excuse not to get one.

"I went for Cubone as they are one of my favourites.

"I lived in Japan for a bit and went to a Pokémon centre and got a Cubone plushie so made sense to get that tattoo."

Mr Langford added: "It has been more popular than I thought it would be.

"It is quite a niche thing to get tattooed on yourself but the response has been great and can't wait to keep it going over the year."

Mr Langford can be contacted through his Instagram page if interested.

East Anglian Daily Times: William Langford tattooing Morena with her Cubone tattoo. Credit: Charlotte BondWilliam Langford tattooing Morena with her Cubone tattoo. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Cubone tattoo. Credit: Charlotte BondThe Cubone tattoo. Credit: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)