RAY MALLON is taking to the information superhighway in his quest to be mayor of Middlesbrough.

The former head of Middlesbrough CID launches his election website today at www.raymallon.co.uk.

Mr Mallon, who resigned from Cleveland Police last month after admitting 14 disciplinary charges, said visitors to his online campaign site would be able to email him with ideas for his manifesto.

He said: "I already have a wide range of objectives in mind, but instead of simply telling people what I will do, I'm also interested in hearing what they believe the priorities of the mayor should be."

The site will be regularly updated as Mr Mallon's manifesto takes shape, and will feature archive material about the controversial former policeman.

Labour's mayoral contender, Councillor Sylvia Connolly, has also gone online - at www.sylviaconnolly. co.uk - and will put her manifesto on the site next week.

The other mayoral candidates so far are Liberal Democrat councillor Joe Michna, charity worker Rod Jones, night-club boss Barry Faulkner, and Boro soccer legend Bernie Slaven. The postal ballot is on May 2.