A DEVOUT Muslim mother says she has been called a sinner for having a tattoo of her idol Michael Jackson.

Lifetime Jacko fan Fatima Butt, 37, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington has had a picture of his face tattooed on her left upper arm despite it being frowned on by some Accrington Muslims.

The mother-of-eight who works at Hyndburn Park Primary School as a nursery nurse and is currently studying beauty therapy at college says she has been labelled a ’sinner’ by those closest to her.

She said: "I don’t understand what the problem is, I’m not hurting anyone. I have loved Michael Jackson all my life and I wanted something to remember him by.

"I work hard and look after my family, I am a good Muslim a tattoo doesn’t change that.

Fatima’s family has a special Urdu-Arabic teacher who teaches her eight children how to be a good Muslim and under her rules all tatooes are a terrible sin.

The pop loving fan said: "How many people drink or smoke and are still classed as good Muslims? What I have done is no different.

Fatima has passed on her love of all things ’Jackson’ to her children; twins Nimat and Tayyib, 12, Awwal, 10, Hawwaa, eight, Kamil, seven, Nabi-Siraj, six, Ada, three and Azaan, seven months who all claim they are bigger fans than their mum.

Their home which is currently under renovation will have an entire room devoted to the music superstar, when completed which will house a huge collection of posters, picture frames, records, masks, badges, dress up kits and jigsaws.

The collection which was started when Fatima was 16-years-old is estimated to have cost several thousands of pounds.

Fatima had also paid 500 for two tickets to him at London’s O2 arena as part of his final ’This is it’ 50 gig tour.

She said: I had just got home from college when my uncle phoned me to tell me he had died. I just couldn’t believe it.

All Michael Jackson fans are very loyal and they will never let his memory die.

Fatima’s tattoo was created at Accrington’s newest tattoo parlour Inkognito on Blackburn Road by co-owner Beki McGill.

Fatima added: My husband and children have supported me and that’s all that matters. I have always pleased myself regardless and I will continue to do so. Jacko is a hero."