Former call centre worker Stuart Drummond won the race for Hartlepool's mayoral seat - carrying an annual salary of £53,000 - in May.

He switched from attending games for Hartlepool as their ape mascot H'angus, to handling the borough's £100m budget.

But he has apologised to his constituents after being seen twice at Sunday pub strip shows.

Mr Drummond as H'angus the monkey

When elected Mr Drummond, 28, pledged to clean up Hartlepool and vowed never to do anything which would "embarrass" the area.

However he has been forced to apologise to the town after just five months in office.

He was spotted by members of the public visiting The Office pub in Hartlepool on two separate Sundays, where he enjoyed drinks with friends - and watched erotic dancers perform strip shows.

Mr Drummond said he was at the pub with friends from a Sunday league rugby team.

He said: "I was in the pub with my friends and did not take any great interest at what was going on on stage.

"Nevertheless, it was an error of judgement and I apologise if I have offended anyone."

Dancer Keri Mocklar, who stripped in front of the mayor said she was "shocked" to hear the first citizen had been in the audience for the 45-minute show.