Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond has launched an outspoken attack on the town's MP, Peter Mandelson, accusing him of "dirty tricks" and acting like a spoilt child.

Mr Drummond said the former Cabinet minister had not followed up on offers to help him learn the ropes after his election last year, and said the two were now barely on speaking terms.

But Mr Mandelson responded by accusing the mayor of trying to cling on to his coat-tails, instead of working for the town.

Mr Drummond, the former Hartlepool United H'Angus the Monkey mascot, spoke for the first time about his relationship with the town's Labour MP.

He said: "After saying he would do everything he could to help me, he has not done anything. He is obviously upset that his candidate didn't get in. You would think he would be man enough to get over that and move on, but he still bears a grudge."

The mayor accused Mr Mandelson of laughing off a request to arrange a meeting with Government officials to plead for more cash, but then trying to claim credit for a grant increase. "It was a dirty trick," he said.

But Mr Mandelson said: "Being rude isn't going to get him anywhere. I like Stuart personally, but he was elected as Mayor to help offer vision, direction and political leadership to the town.

"He has not done so, and instead of trying to cling on to my coat-tails he needs to get on with the job he was elected to do."