A young mother has stepped into the monkey suit vacated by a recently-elected mayor.

Student Ceri Anderson, 26, is the new mascot of Hartlepool United.

She takes over from Stuart Drummond, who was sensationally elected as mayor of the Teesside town in May.

Hartlepool United had to hold auditions for a new H'Angus the Monkey, with dozens of fans applying for the coveted job.

I can't believe I am actually H'Angus the Monkey

Ceri Anderson

In an unlikely turn of events H'Angus ended up winning the mayoral race, after standing as a joke on the one issue ticket of free bananas for children.

On gaining his new �50,000-a-year post Mr Drummond hastily cast aside the ape suit which earned him the job in the first place.

Political figures like Peter Mandelson, the town's MP, felt it would bring the good name of Hartlepool into disrepute.

'Good job'

The shortlist was whittled down to six, with each candidate wearing the suit for a half in the club's pre-season games.

Ms Anderson was deemed the most monkey-like and was delighted to be told she had been given the job.

The aspiring English teacher's seven-year-old son Ralf, urged her to apply for the post.

She said: "I can't believe I am actually H'Angus the Monkey. It's a dream come true."

Stuart Drummond said: "She's doing a very good job, I wish her all the best."