Cara Delevingne has had her first tattoo.

The British model has had a lion inked onto her index finger by New York-based tattoo artist Bang Bang and thanked her close friend Rihanna for the recommendation.

Posting a picture of the artwork on Instagram via her Twitter page, she wrote: ''My first tattoo!! Lions rule! Thank you so much @BangBang badgalriri (sic)''

She then added: '' I am so happy! Thanks again @BangBang @elemags ! RAWWWW (sic)''

And Rihanna tweeted: ''My lover caradelevingne just came over and got tagged for the first time!! Only by the best @BangBang... (sic) ''

Cara's tattoo comes a week after her best friend Rita Ora visited Bang Bang to have a dove etched onto the back of her neck - then returned the favour on the artist.

In a series of Twitter posts accompanied by pictures, she wrote ''Thank you @BangBang love ya! I finally found you HA

''And in return @BangBang gets a once in a life time Rita Ora tattoo! #crazy (sic)''