A SUPERMARKET chain has vowed to tidy up the area surrounding a North-East landmark after concerns were raised over the state of the site.

Concerns have been expressed about the state of the land surrounding the brick train sculpture on the A66, on the outskirts of Darlington next to Morrisons, at Morton Park.

The sculpture, which stands at seven metres high and 39 metres long, was commissioned and built in 1997 by Scottish sculptor David Mach as a tribute to the town’s railway heritage.

Built using more than 180,000 bricks, it depicts a 1938 Mallard locomotive emerging from its own plume of smoke and is visible from the side of the road.

However overgrown hedges have obscured the view and covered up signs directing visitors to a car park and viewing platform.

As a result, the Friends of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum have called for more to be done to maintain the site and make it more attractive for tourists to visit.

David Porter, the group’s vice-chairman said: “Something which is really quite important to Darlington and is a reminder of our railway history is being left to become a white elephant.

“People go up and down the A66 all the time and might be passing something which would interest them.

“People cannot see the sign behind the hedge which tells you to go into the commercial part of Morrisons to park.

“It has got to be trimmed back to the original level. It wouldn’t cost an awful lot."

The 82-year-old added: “It is an important part of Darlington’s heritage.”

The sculpture was commissioned by Darlington Borough Council in partnership with Morrisons supermarkets, which takes care of the land surrounding the sculpture.

A spokesman for the supermarket said: “Morrisons takes care of the area surrounding the brick train, but we are not allowed to touch the train itself, in order to protect it.

“However, colleagues from the store tidy the area surrounding the train on a regular basis.

“We will be sending a maintenance team to the site in the very near future.”