Zac Goldsmith formally enters race to be London's next mayor after huge backing from constituents

Tory MP Zac Goldsmith today formally entered the race to be London's next mayor after winning overwhelming support from his constituents.

The MP was immediately declared bookies favourite to replace Boris Johnson next May.

The millionaire environmentalist asked voters in Richmond Park for their permission to join the contest to be Conservative candidate.

In a postal ballot, he asked; 'Do you give consent to Zac Goldsmith to stand for election to be Mayor of London?'

Goldsmith was backed by 15,802 voters who said yes, with 3,569 telling him not to stand.

The MP is a long-standing critic of Heathrow Airport and will put opposition to a third runway at the heart of his campaign.

Goldmith's rivals to become Conservative candidate include footballer Sol Campbell, businessman Ivan Massow and Deputy Mayor for Policing Stephen Greenhalgh.