AN alternative Easter teddy bear has caused a storm of controversy.

The Bad Taste Bear called Christian depicts Christ as a bear, wearing a crown of thorns, loin cloth and dragging a wooden cross.

The figurine is the latest bear in the Bad Taste range, which includes teddies in various sexual positions, one on the toilet and one smoking cannabis.

But the religious nature of Christian, which has been launched for Easter, has attracted the most complaints.

The bear has also been blasted by The Reverend David Holloway, of Jesmond Parish Church, in Newcastle.

He said: "The bear called Christian is particularly offensive to Christians, because it is part of a series of Bad Taste bears.

"As some of these are sexually indecent, the humour does not excuse the blasphemy."

Collectors have also added their complaints to the Bad Taste Bear website.

But bosses at the Newcastle firm Piranha Studios, which makes the bears, are unrepentent.

John Wright, managing director, said: "Bad Taste Bears are continuing to prove extremely popular with consumers and the fact remains that there is demand for these products - including Christian."