THE mayor of a North-East town who was spotted at a lesbian strip show may be suspended from office following an official complaint about his conduct.

Stuart Drummond, who was elected to be mayor of Hartlepool as H'Angus The Monkey, has been reported to Government standards watchdogs after being spotted at the risque show.

An official complaint to the Standards Board for England has been lodged by several Labour councillors, alleging he lied when first confronted about his after-hours activities - a breach of the council's code of conduct.

Labour Councillor Jane Shaw said: "If you make a mistake, you put your hand up straight away. But from what I've read, it appears he did not do that.

"I think he has breached the council's code of conduct by not telling the whole truth."

Mayor Drummond, who was Hartlepool United's mascot before rising to public office, admitted he attended the strip shows at The Office pub in Hartlepool on two successive Sundays, as two teenage strippers romped on stage.

The Standards Board for England is the Government Committee which investigates any alleged behaviour breaches by elected councillors. It has the power to disqualify or suspend a councillor, including the mayor, from office.

Mayor Drummond said he was aware of the complaints made against him. "I accept this will be reported to the Standards Board but I don't know how long it will take to investigate because there's a backlog," he said.

Mayor Drummond has apologised for his visit to the sex shows and admitted it was an "error of judgement".

But Coun Shaw said: "In his position, he should have thought a little bit more carefully about it. I don't have a problem with what people do in their private lives as long as its legal - but he's the first citizen of the town and this reflects badly on all of us."