A SEAGULL wearing a Santa hat is Dartmouth Caring's choice of Christmas card this year.

Seagulls have been more of a talking point than turkeys in the town of late and the charity hopes the quirky design will appeal to residents and holidaymakers alike.

Cathy Bell, of Dartmouth Art Society, approached the charity about designing this year's card.

She said: 'The idea started at our Christmas lunch last year. I'd sent Dartmouth Caring cards to my friends on the table and one of them said "why don't we have a go at designing one?"

'We thought it would be a win/ win situation. We would be helping our local charity and the chosen artist would get their work published.

'Members of our society obviously thought it was a great challenge, as we received 23 entries.'

The winner, Gay Pridige, was picked by Dartmouth Caring staff and trustees.

Alison Stocks, Dartmouth Caring's manager and co-ordinator, said: 'Her inspiration for the card was a photo her husband took of a seagull while away on holiday.

'So a seagull wearing a Christmas hat seemed a great idea, especially as she wanted it to be a simple picture. She was amazed and very pleased that her design was chosen.

'There were lots of good entries and it was difficult to choose but our criteria was for a card that had a broad appeal – not too traditional or modern, not too formal, with some light-heartedness.

'It's Dartmouth. We're a seaside town, so a Christmas seagull seemed a great idea.

'We'll add wording around the design to celebrate Christmas.

'We went to the art society's final meeting before their summer closure and made a selection from the designs presented to us.

'We also had a look at all the other work the artists had been busy doing and there was some amazing art.

Our thanks go to Cathy Bell and Karen Traynor and all those involved at Dartmouth Art Society and, of course, Gay.'

Dartmouth Caring produces at least one card a year designed by local artists. They have included Simon Drew, John Gillo, John Donaldson, Alan Stewart and James Stewart. Designers donate their work free of charge to the charity.

The Dartmouth Art Society was established in 1984. Its 70 members, from beginners to experienced artists, meet weekly and hold regular exhibitions in the town.

Dartmouth Caring's card is now off to the printers and should be available from July. It will also be on sale in the charity's town centre office, through its website and in the tourist information centre.