AT least it makes a change from pink elephants.

Drivers in Newcastle could have been forgiven for thinking they were seeing things yesterday when a green fairy was hoisted high above the city.

The fairy's appearance was part of a publicity stunt by Lanchester Wines, of County Durham, to publicise its latest controversial tipple.

For more than 200 years, Absinthe, which is known as Green Fairy, has enjoyed the reputation of being a creativity enhancer and aphrodisiac.

Said to have been popular with the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso and Hemingway, its alleged hallucinogenic qualities led to it being banned in parts of America.

Following auditions in Newcastle yesterday, the best fairy will be used in an advertising campaign for the drink later this year.

Picture: GEMMA MARRINER