Boris Johnson is the new Mayor of London.

The result was announced at City Hall just before midnight when the 43-year-old MP for Henley and former editor of The Spectator magazine was declared London Mayor.

Turnout for the election was about 45 per cent - up from 36.95 per cent in 2004.

The Conservative candidate won 140,000 more votes than his rival Ken Livingstone.

Mr Johnson secured 1,168,738 votes in total. Livingstone won 1,028,966 votes to finish second.

Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick finished a distant third with 236,685 votes.

Mr Johnson said: "I do not think for one second that this result means that London is transformed into a Tory city, but I will work flat out to repay the trust invested in me by voters who's pen wavered for a second before they crossed the box next to my name."

Outgoing mayor Ken Livingstone accepted responsibility for his defeat.

He said: "I'm sorry I couldn't get the extra few percentage points to take us to victory. I want to thank Londoners' for allowing me to serve me as mayor. I will help the new administration in any way I can."

For his part, Mr Johnson praised his predecessor as a "considerable public servant" and also his handling of the terrorist attacks of July 2005.

Mr Johnson has pledged to cut crime, tackle anti social behaviour on buses, and reform the capital's public transport system.

He is also committed to reforming City Hall, with plans to cut the number of press officers on the public payroll.