BEXLEY council's leader has welcomed Boris Johnson's overwhelming victory in being selected as the Conservative candidate in next year's London mayoral race.

The maverick MP will now seek to stop Ken Livingstone winning a third term in May after winning the challenge yesterday(Thurs).

Cllr Ian Clement said: "We need a mayor who will listen to us on improving transport south of the river, on fighting crime and fear of crime in every borough and who will deliver value for money for all Londoners."

He added: "Next year London will face a real choice, more of the same from Ken Livingstone or in Boris Johnson someone who will work with the boroughs to improves the lives of every Londoner."

During his campaign, Mr Johnson pledged to scrap "bendy" buses, reduce the fear of crime and "work as hard for people in zone six as in zone one".

He beat off the challenge from Andrew Boff, Warwick Lightfoot and Victoria Borwick by securing the backing of 75 per cent of more than 20,000 people who took part in a vote which was open to all Londoners.