A FOOTBALL club mascot who was suspended after being charged with possessing drugs has been told he will not be reinstated.

Lee Kelly, who used to dress as Darlington Football Club's mascot Mr Q, was told that he could not return to his voluntary position.

He was suspended last month after being charged with possession of cannabis.

Yesterday, he was fined £75 by Darlington Magistrates' Court, after pleading guilty to possessing 127.5 grammes of cannabis resin and 11 grammes of cannabis bush.

He was also ordered to pay £34 costs.

Kelly, 33, of Beech Road, Darlington, told The Northern Echo after his arrest that he hoped he could return to the job he loved.

"I have been a Quakers fan all my life - I bleed black and white," he said.

"I just love doing it and I get on great with the kids and enjoy having a laugh with them. I really hope they will take me back."

But last night, a club spokesman said: "Darlington Football Club does not condone the use of illegal drugs.

"The outcome of the case is such that we will not be reinstating him to the voluntary duty he formerly undertook."

The court heard that Kelly had been affected badly by the charges brought against him.

Laura Saunders-Jerrom, mitigating, said: "A little bit of cannabis has cost him an enormous amount - more than anyone could have foreseen."