A CONTROVERSIAL Christmas card sent out by Darlington Borough Council has been defended by the mayor.

The card features a painting of the town's popular landmark - the brick train - in a snow setting, surrounded by skiers, snowboarders, huskies, and two slain blood spattered Arctic narwhal whales.

But the mayor, Coun Dot Long, who chose the David Mach design for this year's festive greeting, said the picture carried an environmental message.

She told the D&S Times: "It is like any original artwork, you make of it what you will.

"The whales are actually narwhal whales which have a long tusk. They have not been speared although there is blood seen on the snow around them.

"I chose the card because it was snowy and it promoted the brick train which is a wonderful landmark in the borough.

"I thought the bloodied whales would create remarks but to be honest it has taken over three weeks for anyone to notice them.

"There is such a lot of other interesting things going on in the picture and the dead whales create an environmental message to us all."