I think the people of Hartlepool wanted a totally independent mayor and that is why I was voted in

Stuart Drummond

As mayor, Mr Drummond will chair cabinet meetings and he also holds special responsibility for youth, crime and sport issues.

He will be joined by Labour councillors Moss Boddy, responsible for regeneration and the economy, and Robbie Payne in charge of lifelong learning and skills.

Liberal Democrat John Lauderdale will look after town management, Conservative councillor Stanley Fortune is in charge of resources and performance management, and Independent Cath Hill will cover social and health care.

Mr Drummond admitted he "hardly knew" any of the councillors when he took up his post on 7 May.

But he said he considered himself a "good judge of character" and took advice from a lot of people.

Common sense

"I don't want my cabinet to be bogged down in political argument," he said.

"The people who work for me will be working for the good of the town, not for their political views... I want people I can trust.

"I want to take a common sense approach and not get involved in political rhetoric."

Mr Drummond - who has a HND in Business and Finance from the University College of Salford - admitted he did not expect to win the election when he first dreamt up the idea a year ago.

Likewise, his manifesto pledge of free bananas for all school children was "just a joke" until - like his campaign - it "snowballed".

Mr Drummond has resigned his mascot role

"At first it was just publicity for the club but when I started to really think about the issues, I began to come up with some policies

"As soon as I entered the race there was a big media interest, but when it calmed down people began to take me seriously.

"I think the people of Hartlepool wanted a totally independent mayor and that is why I was voted in.

"Someone young, fresh, full of ideas and no political allegiances."

The former-call centre operator said he was not daunted by the prospect of his high-profile role.

He said his aim was to simply make Hartlepool a better place to live

And he said his election promise of free bananas for all schoolchildren would stand - if budgets allow.

The new cabinet meets for the first time on 20 May.