New poll puts Ken and Boris neck-and-neck

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An Ipsos-Mori survey for Unison put the Mayor on 41 per cent, while his Tory rival Boris Johnson picked up 40 per cent of those certain to vote.

Mr Livingstone's lead was particularly strong among young voters with 55 per cent of 18 to 34- year-olds saying they would back him compared with 29 per cent supporting Mr Johnson.

But among over-55s, who are more likely to turn out on polling day, the Tory candidate led 46 per cent to 39 per cent.

Today's poll put Lib-Dem candidate Brian Paddick on 14 per cent and Green candidate Sian Berry on five per cent of those certain to vote.

It comes after a YouGov poll for the Evening Standard on Monday put Mr Johnson 13 points ahead.

Today's survey will bring some relief to Mr Livingstone's campaign with the Mayor claiming it proved the contest was neck and neck.

Among all London's potential voters, the gap was even wider at 45 per cent for Mr Livingstone and 38 per cent for Mr Johnson.

Mr Livingstone said: "It's very encouraging-No one really knows whether the most accurate figures are [people] certain to vote or everyone expressing a preference. In some elections it's one, in some elections it's the other. I think everybody gets the feeling in London this is going to be a neck and neck race."

The poll showed a narrowing of the gap between the two main candidates from three points to one since the last Mori poll in February.

That survey, commissioned by the Labour Party, put Mr Livingstone three points ahead on 38 per cent, to Mr Johnson's 35 per cent.

But on all other headline figures the gap between the two remained static.

In a straight run-off between the two candidates Mr Livingstone's lead remained at two points - 51 per cent to 49 per cent - among those certain to vote.

Among all potential voters, the Mayor picked up 54 per cent of the vote to Mr Johnson's 46 per cent.

London government expert Tony Travers said: "The Mori poll suggests that it's a neck and neck race.

"All the polls viewed together suggest such a messy pictures that there's everything to play for for both sides."

Mr Johnson is keeping up the pressure on the Mayor, saying that he will not be standing after a second term in a bid to make himself more accountable to voters.

Mr Johnson said he would end "the culture of cronyism" at City Hall - and restore people's faith in how money is spent - by introducing rules for mayoral advisers that ensure their interests are declared and in the open.