DURING his victory speech on May 2, last year, Ray Mallon told his enemies: "If you cannot let the past go, then go. There is no place for you in Middlesbrough."

A year on, and like his counterpart in Hartlepool, Mr Mallon is still striving to win over people who have not always been "on-message".

Stuart Drummond, who famously persuaded thousands of normally sane Hartlepool folk to vote for a man in a monkey suit, not only had to persuade people he could make a difference as mayor - he had to convince them he was not doing it for a laugh. Same roles, similar problems - both Mr Mallon and Mr Drummond had some pretty heavy baggage to shed.

But according to many who work with them, that is exactly what they have done.

Rob McMullen, who has worked with both since becoming Teesside area manager for the North-East Chamber of Trade in December last year, reckons their high profiles have done the region more good than harm.

He said: "They have both acted as figureheads and the face of their respective areas and the chamber has applauded the way they have gone about it.

"Ray Mallon, for instance, has massive amounts of charisma and, after having worked with him on the Middlesbrough Partnership, he can really make things happen.

"However, it is far more complex than one individual effecting the economic development of Teesside.

"As engaging as both are, improving the Teesside economy is slow and steady work that will continue long after they have left office."

For the strategists at Labour Party headquarters in Millbank, last May's Teesside results must have been their worst nightmare.

The elected mayors were designed to energise politics, but these two unexpected results saw the Government cool its enthus-iasm.

Dr Chris Stevens, politics lecturer at the University of Teesside, says Mr Mallon and Mr Drummond have proved that, if anything, the new system does work.

He said: "They have done as well as could be expected. Put it this way, they have not invalidated the experiment.

"The relationship between Mallon and Middlesbrough Council has been a good one, and Drummond has not disgraced himself.

"I suspect the baggage that both brought to their jobs has not been a big a problem as anticipated.

"Immediately after the elections, Labour said elected mayors were trouble, but now the shock has worn off I think they are coming round to them again."

The spirit of reconciliation is nowhere better summed up than at Cleveland Police Authority, which had many high-profile rows with Mr Mallon in his police days. Now they are working in harmony.

Authority member Councillor Dave McLuckie said: "I feel there has been a line drawn. Lancet is no more. Everyone, including the chairman Ken Walker, has buried the hatchet."