The Mayor of Middlesbrough and Northern Echo columnist, Ray Mallon, was understandably miffed when Channel 4's Location, Location, Location famously slagged off my home town of Middlesbrough.

I admired Mr Mallon's passionate defence of the Boro. That's his job - to stand up for the town that elected him - and he does it very well.

But in tomorrow's paper, there's a report of a speech by Mr Mallon which I suspect might kick up a bit of a storm.

He defends Middlesbrough again but goes on to criticise other cities including Durham and York.

Isn't it a case of the pot calling the kettle black, Mr Mayor?