Rob Ford: Crack-Using Mayor Launches Campaign

Supporters of embattled Toronto mayor Rob Ford queued up to get their hands a 'bobble headed' doll of their hero as he launched his bid for re-election.

The politician, who admitted smoking crack cocaine last year, acknowledged he had had "rocky moments" but vowed to fight harder than ever at his inaugural campaign rally.

Ford is seeking re-election on October 27 despite widespread coverage that many believe made him and his city an international embarrassment.

He told those attending the rally: "There's been some rocky moments over the past year. I have experienced how none of us can go through life without making mistakes.

"And when they occur, we learn a lot about ourselves. Humility, the kindness of people and the spirit of second chances."

The errant mayor shot to fame in November 2013 when Toronto police said they had obtained a copy of a video which appeared to show him inhaling the highly addictive drug.

He refused to resign and, in the weeks after, story after story emerged exposing him for behaviour that many felt was inappropriate for the mayor of such a large city.

He was filmed knocking over a female councillor, ticketed for jaywalking, captured on video slurring his words and accused of paying for an attack on his brother-in-law.

Despite the exposés, Ford remains popular among a core of voters in his home suburb of Etobicoke.

His promises to slash spending, cut taxes and end what he called "the war on the car" have gained him a loyal following.

Nodding bobble-head lookalikes of the mayor were first put on sale last November, according to the Toronto Star, at 20 Canadian dollars each (£12), with proceeds going to a charity.

His previous batch of 300 of the figures sold out within minutes and immediately began popping up on eBay for as much as 15 times their purchase price.

At the rally, a range of other merchandise was on sale, including bumper stickers, badges, t-shirts and foam fingers.

Since he became famous, a number of American and international comedians have mocked the mayor.

But, according to the Star, he had rebuffed all attempts to force him from office and has continued his drive to take on what he describes as "abuse of taxpayers' money".

The Star said the latest opinion poll, taken on Monday, put left-wing candidate Olivia Chow at the head of the field with 34% of support, Ford with 27% and former opposition leader John Tory with 24%.