COLOURFUL Tory MP Boris Johnson visited Bexley today - his first stop on a whirlwind tour of the capital.

The London mayoral hopeful arrived on the Back Boris bus to learn how the borough operates recycling and local policing.

He chose Bexley first because it is said to be the greenest and safest in London.

Mr Johnson told the Bexley Extra: "Bexley is the perfect place to start my tour. This is a lovely area of London but too many people are worried about crime and they shouldn't be.

"I'm going to make sure that the people of Bexley have safer streets and a proper sense of security."

He arrived at the Foots Cray recycling centre, where he met supporters Bexley council leader Cllr Ian Clement, Bexleyheath and Craford MP David Evennett and Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Derek Conway.

Mr Johnson later visited Old Bexley Church of England Primary, which has an attached community police unit.

The MP for Henley launched his campaign on Monday to become the Conservative candidate in next year's elections .

The sucessful candidate will be chosen by a vote in which all Londoners can take part.

Others shortlist for the Conservatives are party activists Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick and Warwick Lightfoot.

Mr Johnson plans to visit the 32 London boroughs on his made-over Routemaster in just 16 days. This afternoon he was visiting Croydon.

His bid includes wanting 24-hour policing, Crossrail built, a new "iconic" version of the admired Routemaster bus, a way of keeping temperatures lower on the Underground and to promote cycling.