TEENAGER Gemma Danielson lost four pints of blood when her tongue piercing went wrong.

The young mother was determined to have her tongue pierced, but the fashion fad almost cost her life when a vein in her tongue was sliced open.

The 18-year-old was rushed to casualty having lost four pints of blood, and collapsed as doctors were about to transfer her to North Tyneside Hospital.

She had to have an emergency transfusion.

Doctors were unable to remove the metal bar from her mouth in case the bleeding got worse.

Gemma, from Blyth, Northumberland, is demanding compensation from the piercer, Lorna Larson,

Gemma, a club singer with a three-year-old son, Lewis, said: "The doctors say it is safe to keep it in.

"The piercer actually came with me to the hospital because she was so worried, but when I showed her my swollen tongue a few days later, she said I could only have my money back if I took the titanium bar out, which I couldn't do."

Ms Larson said: "I hit a hidden vein when I did the piercing which is what caused the bleeding.

"I always check the tongue for veins thoroughly, but on very rare occasions people have veins in their tongues which you can't see.

"I accompanied her to hospital and offered to take the bar out, but she said she wanted to keep it.

"I was mortified by the way it turned out. I did everything I could and followed every procedure.

"That will be the last tongue piercing I do. Something was there that could not be seen and I am not prepared to take the chance of it happening again."