ALMOST 200 years ago, the people of Hartlepool hanged a monkey they thought was a French spy.

But, with local bookmakers having suspended betting on the town's monkey mascot, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility they may elect one as mayor.

Stuart Drummond, a man who spends his weekends dressed in a monkey suit to cheer on the local football team, put his name forward for the post of elected mayor as a joke.

But H'Angus the Monkey could come out laughing tomorrow night. Reports from within the town suggest that the Labour vote is failing to stand up as expected - although who will benefit from a poor turnout for Labour candidate and local businessman Leo Gillen remains unclear.

The most likely beneficiary is Arthur Preece, Liberal Democrat candidate and leader of the borough council, who will keep his post as leader even if he is elected mayor.

Also vying for the post are Conservative Stephen Close and independent Ian Cameron.

As well as the powerful post as head of the authority, the new mayor will receive an annual wage of £53,000 - significantly more than the current system of council allowances and much higher than the £4,000 payments to councillors.

The authority has defended the decision to increase the payments to its most senior elected official in the face of public criticism.

But, then again, if you pay peanuts you get monkeys