FORMER football mascot Stuart Drummond will soon learn if he is this year's World Mayor.
The Hartlepool United fan, who was re-elected as Hartlepool Mayor this year with a landslide victory, is a finalist in the global competition to find the most competent and pro-active mayor.
He was shortlisted along with outspoken Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, New York Mayor and media tycoon Michael Bloomberg, and other leaders from as far afield as Beijing, New Zealand and Rio De Janeiro.
He was one of only 65 mayors to make the list from more than 550 nominees in a contest organised by Internet site City Mayors. The competition aims to raise the profile of mayors and recognise their work.
Mr Drummond said: "The announcement is due anytime, so we will have to wait and see what happens.
"I'm not expecting to win, but it was nice to be nominated. It has been good publicity for the town and it is nice for little Hartlepool to be alongside such big names as New York, Rio and Beijing."
Until a few years ago, Mr Drummond was Hartlepool United mascot H'Angus the Monkey, entertaining the crowds at the Victoria ground, until he decided to run as the town's first elected mayor.
People have been able to register their support for him at www.citymayors.com
The judging will take place next month.
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