FORMER Robocop Ray Mallon has really lived up to his name.

For five weeks the ex-CID chief went about his duties without realising he had a broken leg.

In fact, Middlesbrough's mayor, who earned the nickname Robocop for his zero-tolerance policing, could have suffered a blood clot at any time.

It all started about three months ago when keep-fit fan Mr Mallon thought he had suffered a strain while running.

But he was determined to beat the pain barrier and carried on running. Then five weeks ago, he fell.

With the aid of walking sticks and crutches he soldiered on around the corridors of Middlesbrough Town Hall, thinking the pain in his leg was due to a tendon problem.

But an x-ray at the University Hospital of Hartlepool revealed that the top of his left thigh had broken in two - probably when he fell at home.

Mr Mallon said last night: "Bone was grinding against bone. And I could have suffered a blood clot at any time."

He added: "This experience re-emphasises that no matter how fit you may think you are, you never know what is round the corner."

Mr Mallon is now recovering after undergoing an operation to pin the broken bone together.

Some of his meetings and engagements have been cancelled, but he is predicting a speedy return to the town hall.

Jan Richmond, chief executive of Middlesbrough Council, said: "It is typical of Ray to have kept working for the past five weeks despite the fact he has had a broken thigh."

Read Ray Mallon on page 12