Ray Mallon unveiled his election manifesto today with a promise to cut crime, spend on education and get rid of Middlesbrough's "cloth cap" image.

The former head of Middlesbrough CID launched his bid to become the town's first elected mayor at Marton Country Club with a speech focusing on five key election pledges - and a swipe at the town's Labour-run council.

He said he was deeply concerned by the recent council tax increase in the town including the 38 per cent police precept rise.

"Under the current administration local people have repeatedly been hit my excessive tax demands," he said. "My rivals dismiss this with glib phrases like 'coppers for coppers'. In fact these stealth taxes amount to hundreds of pounds a year which cause real hardship to thousands of local people.

"I pledge that as mayor I will immediately order a top to bottom review of the way Middlesbrough is run. I want to ensure that every penny of public money is accounted for."

He also criticised the council for failing to spend on education. "I regard it as shameful that the current administration has repeatedly failed to meet the Government's recommended spending targets on education. As mayor I would guarantee that this council meets the Government's recommended Standard Spending Assessment on education."

As expected the former detective superintendent promised to crackdown on crime with initiatives including community wardens, CCTV and a rapid response hit squad.

"People should feel safe in their homes," he said. "They should be able to walk down the street without fearing they will be mugged or confronted by foul-mouthed youths."

And the man dubbed "Robocop", whose zero tolerance policing strategy brought him national recognition, promised to increase Middlesbrough's profile. "For too long this town has been depicted as a Northern backwater. I intend to change that. The cloth cap image will be consigned to the dustbin."

Finally, he promised to provide Middlesbrough with a major venue for theatre and concerts - probably at the new Middlehaven development.

Labour mayoral candidate Councillor Sylvia Connolly launches her election bid today (March 26) - with the help of Hartlepool MP and former Government minister Peter Mandelson.

Her manifesto will be unveiled at the Marske Machine Company, Forty Foot Road, Middlesbrough at 11am.