Polls open in Lewisham mayoral by-election

Polls have opened to voters in the Lewisham mayoral by-election.

It is being held after the former elected mayor, Damien Egan, quit to run to become an MP.

Lewisham is one of five London boroughs where voters directly elect an executive mayor to run things.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 GMT and will close at 22:00 GMT. Voters going to a polling station must take accepted forms of photographic identification with them to be allowed to vote.

There are seven candidates running to become the next elected mayor of Lewisham (listed alphabetically):

• Brenda Dacres - Labour

• John Hamilton - Workers Party of Britain

• Michael Herron - Green Party

• Nick Long - Independent

• Chris Maines - Liberal Democrats

• Maureen Martin - Christian Peoples Alliance

• Siama Qadar - Conservative

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