A businessman claims he’s been frozen out from promoting his body piercing store to new students at Huddersfield University.

In previous years Les Clancy, who runs Silver Lining in Market Avenue, Huddersfield, has put fliers into goody bags given to students during Freshers’ Week.

But now he claims the Students’ Union, which puts the goody bags together, has banned piercing bars and tattoo parlours after complaints.

Mr Clancy, 52, went ahead and paid £150 to print this year’s fliers which offered students a £1 discount on piercings.

But when he contacted the Students’ Union he was told of the ban.

Mr Clancy, who has been in business in Huddersfield for 12 years and is licensed by Kirklees Council, said: “I have done this every year but now I have been told there were complaints about promoting such businesses and the union will no longer allow fliers for piercings or tattoos.

“That’s their prerogative, of course, but it’s all about freedom of choice. The students are over 18 and no one is forcing them to have a piercing or a tattoo. We are just making them aware of the service we offer.”

Mr Clancy said students were often offered discounted alcohol which could do more damage than piercings.

He added: “Where will it stop? Will they ban pizza fliers because someone might be obese in 20 years? It just doesn’t seem right.”

Matt Mills, chief executive of Huddersfield Students’ Union, declined to comment.

Like tattoos? See a gallery of work by Huddersfield tattooist Jonny Gilbert here.