Family tree tattoo

A father-of-20 has told how he had his family tree tattooed on his back - but has left room in case his wife has another baby.

Mike Holpin, 47, from New Tredegar in the Rhymney valley, first became a father 30 years ago and has 16 of his own children and four stepchildren.

"I started the tattoo in 1997 and had the latest names added as they were born," Mr Holpin said. "I love kids."

Mr Holpin is the subject of a forthcoming photography exhibition.

Cardiff-based photographer Betina Skovbro decided to document his life after meeting him when he saved the life of a teenager being stabbed in an assault. Mr Holpin had lost contact with a number of his children but during the year-long project Ms Skovbro helped him find all but one of them.

He has children with four different women and has left enough space on his back in case latest wife, Petrina, is willing to have another baby.

"The tattoo covers quite an area, but I would make room if I had any more children.

"One of the reasons I've had so many is because I can. There are people out there who would love to have one child let alone 20.

"The other reason is I don't believe in contraception whatsoever. I love miracles and every birth is a miracle in itself."

Mr Holpin, who is a registered alcoholic and dependent on sickness benefit because of his epileptic condition, lives in a three-bedroomed council house with his wife and nine of the children.