The woman who stood for Dartford Ukip in this year's general election has bid to replace Boris Johnson as Mayor of London.

Elizabeth Jones, who placed third in the race to become Dartford's MP in May, has stepped forward in an effort to take London's top political seat when elections are held next year.

Ms Jones has vowed to "promote and protect the best interests of Dartford" in her mayoral programme and has strongly opposed the prospect of Dartford becoming a London Borough.

She said any union with London would send prices soaring and see a huge surge for social housing, which she believes is in short supply due to migration.

Speaking at Ukip's Young Independents Confrence in Nottingham, she said: "I was so thankful to the people of Dartford who placed their trust in me and voted for me in their thousands in May – the time is ripe now to concentrate on London’s regional elections next year, and if I am successful I vow to protect and promote the best interests of Dartford in my programme for Mayor.

Ukip will announce their London Mayoral candidate in late September, but first Miss Jones must go through a members’ selection weekend and interviews.