A COUNCIL'S plans to create a website cartoon mascot have been shelved after it emerged that the company it hired also created mobile phone pornography.

Blackburn with Darwen Council today said there were 'several' reasons behind its decision to sever ties with Scottish-based DA Group.

The authority had come under fire from domestic violence campaigners after the Evening Telegraph revealed that DA Group was also responsible for a project called 'Fantasy Babes'.

It allows men to create their own downloadable 'woman' who then participates in a variety of X-rated activities.

DA Group had been hired by Blackburn with Darwen Council to create a cartoon mascot to help people find their way around its website.

Details of the £2,000 "pilot" project emerged when DA Group made reference to it when issuing a profits warning.

Coun Frank Connor, executive member for citizens rights, said: "We have discussed the information dug up by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and feel that other parts of their business are unacceptable to us.

"I don't yet know how much of their business was looked at before we agreed to work with them, but this isn't acceptable."

The council has declined to discuss the exact details of the contract, but it is understood that it included the chance for the council to review it after a set period, with the option of ending it.

DA Group is also responsible for 3D cartoon mascots used on international TV channel BBC Prime and the world's first 'virtual' newscaster, Ananova.

A spokesman for Woman's Aid, which runs the Wish Centre in Blackburn and helps victims of domestic violence, said earlier this month: "Big companies and councils have a social responsibility to set an example and not deal with companies which promote things like Fantasy Babes."

Council leader Kate Hollern said: "We are reviewing the overall project now."

Tory leader Coun Colin Rigby said: "This is a very sensible decision."

Nobody was available to comment from DA, but a spokesman previously said: "Fantasy Babe is a small part of what we do and see it as harmless fun."