Borough residents had their chance to personally quiz the Mayor of London over issues affecting them.

Ken Livingstone's arrival at Richmond theatre on Tuesday, March 4, was met with applause from some, cries of support from others and impatient silence from a few.

Mr Livingstone was joined by 18 colleagues from the London Assembly for a question time event to discuss policing, transport, the environment, the 2012 Olympics and other issues with people.

Tony Arbour, south-west Conservative Assembly member, hosted proceedings and welcomed the audience to the home of drama, tragedy, farce and pantomime before adding: "I'm not sure what tonight will be."

The tone of the evening shifted from fun to fury at times, particularly when discussing the proposed Heathrow expansion.

Damian Hockney, Londonwide Assembly member, said: "Whether you or I want it - it will expand."

His claim caused outrage in the audience and Mr Livingstone strongly disagreed.

He said: "I don't think the runway will ever be built. Climate change is much worse now and it will mean no increase in air travel."

The panel took a show of hands to determine support for expansion proposals and only Mr Hockney and one other were in favour of it.

Mr Livingstone also discussed complaints that the borough had not adopted the Oyster card and accused South West trains of "dragging their feet" over the issue.

He fielded questions from old and young, a British National Party member concerned with population growth in the capital and was asked to explain the actions of Lee Jasper.

Mr Livingstone said: "I bet my own life the authorities will clear Lee Jasper and I will reappoint him when they do."

At the end of the evening the audience was asked to vote on who they would like to see as the next mayor and mayor Livingstone received 65 per cent, Boris Johnson 25 per cent and Brian Paddock 10 per cent.