Nominations open for London mayor

The race for City Hall formally begins today, as nominations open to be the next mayor of London.

Ken Livingstone will face at least 12 challengers to a third term as London mayor but his most serious competition comes from Boris Johnson.

The latest opinion poll puts the Conservative MP 12 points ahead of the incumbent mayor, who has seen his popularity dip in the wake of negative media coverage.

The race has become increasingly personalised, with voters aligning behind Ken or Boris, although the fortunes of the Labour and Conservative candidates will be of importance to their respective party leaders.

Launching his campaign at Royal Festival Hall later, Mr Livingstone will seek to offset his opponent's media image.

He will say: "Some people attempt to portray this election as about personality - a celebrity big brother in which the biggest issue that needs to be discussed is less than 400 bendy buses, a fraction of the bus service.

"It is not. The stakes are very high. It is about the most vital issues for the future of London affecting the lives of all Londoners for years."

Mr Livingstone also faces a credible challenge from Liberal Democrat candidate and former police chief Brian Paddick.

In a speech to supporters this evening, Mr Paddick will claim he is the candidate to take on the "establishment" at City Hall.

Sian Berry is also standing for the Green party, alongside candidates from UKIP, the BNP, English Democrats party and single-issue groups and independents.