The man who championed zero-tolerance policing in Britain today became the Mayor of Middlesbrough.

'Robocop' Ray Mallon today stormed into office on an election ticket of law and order leaving Labour candidate and deputy leader of Middlesbrough Borough Council, Sylvia Connolly, in his wake.

The former Cleveland Police Chief Superintendent declared: "This is not my big dream, this is your big dream.

"The public of Middlesbrough, they have given us a mandate for change, and change they will have."

The controversial character, who introduced zero-tolerance policing to this country, captured the necessary 50 per cent-plus vote at the first time of asking.

He polled a massive 26,362 votes, compared with the 9,653 of his nearest rival.

Mr Mallon was once feted by top politicians, including a pre-General Election photocall with Tony Blair in 1997, but fell from grace when he was accused of a raft of highly inflamatory allegations concerning the conduct of himself and his officers investigated under Operation Lancet.

The Crown Prosecution Service declined to press criminal charges but he shocked supporters and opponents alike by putting his hands up to 14 disciplinary charges he said it was in order to fulfil a promise to the people of Middlesbrough that he would stand as mayor.

Mr Mallon, who has very few concrete policies, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach, will hold the £30,000 appointment for five years.

Thereafter, elected mayors will hold office for a term of four years.

The count at Middlesbrough Town Hall was buzzing with expectancy today with all corners seemingly confident that the no-nonsense former Cleveland Police Chief Superintendent would walk the contest.

Arch-enemy and Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell walked across while the count was still under way and shook Mr Mallon's hand.

He appeared to be burying the hatchet on long-running confrontations between the two when he said: "It (Middlesbrough) will be better served if the duly elected Mayor and the duly elected Member of Parliament work together."

Mr Bell used his parliamentary privilege last month to launch a scathing attack on Mr Mallon and also took a full-page advertisement out in a local newspaper to decry the former policeman for pleading guilty to what he described as "very serious" disciplinary charges.

Labour candidate Sylvia Connolly was also giving quotes to journalists before the count result saying she was resigned to the fact she would not win.

Much debate will rage over the coming weeks and months as to Mr Mallon's suitability for the role of Mayor.

He will attract massive attention but the people on the streets of Middlesbrough will expect him to deliver.

One woman said outside the count: "I voted for him. He is not like the rest of these politicians. Everyone is grateful for what he has done in the past."