DARLINGTON'S Mayor had a cosy encounter with a 7ft hippopotamus yesterday.
Councillor Dorothy Long was at the Northgate Bedding Centre to mark a donation on behalf of the town's St Teresa's Hospice.
The hippo is the star of commercials for Silentnight, the maker of the bed the shop has donated to the charity.
St Teresa's Hospice is one of three charities which have been selected by Coun Long to benefit from fundraising during her mayoral year.
Hospice director Jane Bradshaw received the bed on behalf of the charity.
Colin Heal, the store's general manager, said: "The hippo is loved by all who meet him, and the mayor was no exception, although she got quite a shock."
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