A NORTH-EAST politician has been named the tenth best mayor in the world.

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond beat nearly 900 entries from across the world to claim a place in the top ten of the World Mayor 2010 competition.

The top spot was taken by Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrand.

Mr Drummond said: “It is nice to get recognised. Obviously, I did not come into this job to win awards, but it is a good bit of publicity for the town. It is great to see Hartlepool alongside places from across the world. It is good news for everyone.”

Mr Drummond,who used to be Hartlepool Football Club monkey mascot H’Angus, was nominated for the honour 12 months ago by an anonymous person. Organisers of the event asked Mr Drummond to answer questions about his work before he was named in a shortlist of 25.

Members of the public were invited to voted for Mr Drummond and this, together with the views of a judging panel, led to him being named in the top ten.

He said: “It was a nice surprise when I found out. I have no idea who nominated me, but it is nice to get some thanks for what I do.

“I do not know why I was chosen over other people.”

More than 170,000 votes were made throughout the world for the ten mayors on the shortlist, with Mr Drummond the only representative from the UK in the final 25.

Dozens of comments on the competition website praised the work of Mr Drummond.

One comment said: “Stuart Drummond sums up everything Hartlepool stands for.

“He came to power on the back of a self-deprecating campaign as our football team’s mascot, but then once in office has conducted himself in a manner which shows how much he respects the people he is so proud to represent.

“He is a credit to the town, and the fact he used to be a monkey mascot shows he has a sense of humour, which is lacking in a lot of politicians.”

Another said: “Stuart has been a real mayor of the people.

He understands local issues and is very proactive in bringing the people of the town together to help each other.”

Other countries with mayors in the top ten included the US, Canada, Australia, Italy, New Zealand and Venezuela.