A TATTOO artist has revealed what life is like being on lockdown in Spain.

Mark Jones, 49, of Rhyl, has been living in Spain for four years.

He owns one of the main tattoo parlous in Benidorm - Inkaholics, which he runs with friend Blane Dickinson, of Penmaenmawr.

Spain's streets have turned eerily quiet since the government declared the state of emergency in response to Covid-19.

Mark, who is married to Gail, 53, and has four children – Emma, Faye, Jamie and Chad, has spent five days in lockdown.

Mark said: "We are only allowed out to get shopping or the chemist, we can’t walk around. If we are just wandering about you could face a fine of anything from 300 euro to 2000 euro.

"We can’t go together in the car. If more than one person is in the car for no reason - big fines. We had to close the tattoo studio and no idea when we can open again which is worrying.

"I’ve been told that tax payments will be suspended while not being open, but not sure about rent on the studio when we do open again. It’s going to be a while before holiday makers come back.

"The police are driving around the town I live in, which is about 15 minutes from Benidorm. They have just been outside my apartment moving two men away who were just sat there drinking beer when they know they shouldn’t be there.

"All the police and shop workers are wearing masks and gloves."

The number of confirmed cases has soared in Spain to more than 11,000.

Mark, who has featured with Blane in the Channel 5 Benidorm-based entertainment show, Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun, lives in a town called Alfaz del Pi, Costa Blanca. Blane is in lockdown with his partner and children.

The granddad to three, who has been based in Spain for more than four years, said schools shut down last Friday.

"There hasn’t been any confirmed cases of the virus in Benidorm area until a couple of days ago and that was someone from the town hall," Mark said.

"I don’t see a lot of people walking around in masks, only the odd one. It’s only myself and wife Gail living over here - all my family are In Wales.

"We only go out when we need to for shopping and we get hand sanitiser. Gloves in the supermarket are given to us.

"It’s strange not being able to go for a meal out or drink.

"I have a feeling this is going to take a long time to clear up and a long time for the tourists to come back.

"Benidorm is a very British resort and nobody will travel until this is sorted.

"I’ve no idea how long we can last here. I’ve been self employed in the business so I’m not entitled to any para, which is like dole.

"My wife managed a bar but won’t get enough for us to live on."