A COUNCIL'S Labour leaders have decided to bury the hatchet with Mayor Ray Mallon.

Labour councillors, who have the majority of seats on Middlesbrough Council, have performed a U-turn and unanimously agreed to work with the town's first elected mayor.

A week ago, the group rejected the recommendation of Councillor Paul Thompson, its leader, to proceed on the basis of general co-operation with the mayor.

Former detective superintendent Mr Mallon said at the time: "I want to make it clear that no one will stop me, or divert me in any way from fulfilling my pledge to the people of Middlesbrough. and delivering what they expect."

In the past week, national and regional Labour Party officials have been involved in talks with the councillors responsible for the 22-19 defeat of the initial proposal to work with the mayor.

A "beefed-up" version of the original recommendation was backed at yesterday's group meeting.

The new proposal included commitments to Labour policies on issues such as social services.

Coun Thompson said: "It was a unanimous decision to work with the mayor.

"It is politically unchartered waters - we are making the rules up as we go along. It was a very harmonious group meeting, which went well."

He said there were a number of applications from the Labour group for posts in Mr Mallon's cabinet.

Mr Mallon polled 63 per cent of the vote for an elected mayor.

Sylvia Connolly, the Labour candidate and deputy council leader, got 23 per cent.

Mr Mallon could not be contacted for comment last night.