The government has turned down plans put forward by Hartlepool's new mayor to tackle unscrupulous landlords.

Former football mascot Stuart Drummond wrote to ministers just weeks after taking office in May.

He urged them to use Hartlepool as a pilot for a scheme to force private landlords to get tough with rowdy tenants.

Mr Drummond says some areas of the town are being "dragged down" by landlords who do not properly vet or monitor tenants.

'Pilot project'

Mr Drummond said the centre of the town is suffering most, with many properties owned by landlords who do not live locally.

He said: "I wrote to the government in June asking that Hartlepool become a pilot project to clamp down on absent landlords.

"However, I have been told that the proposals have been turned down.

"These landlords work around loopholes. They don't actually break the law, but they are bringing down the town.

"The problem just is not going away."