Counting is underway for the Havering and Redbridge London Assembly seat, with just under a quarter of the votes already processed.

Conservative incumbant, and Elm Park councillor, Roger Evans is in the lead so far, with Labour’s Mandy Richards in second, and UKIP in third.

But with about 70 per cent of the votes still to be counted at ExCel, much can change.

In the London mayoral contest, the Conservative Party’s Boris Johnson is a long way ahead of Labour’s Ken Livingstone.

Romford’s Lawrence Webb of the UK Independence Party/Fresh Choice for London is third.

More than three quarters of Havering’s mayoral ballot papers have yet to be counted.

Green candidate Haroon Saad, said that the local party - whose vote on the London Assembly appears to be up - will consider it a success if they poll ahead of the BNP.

He added: “This is fairly predictable for us - we’re not a party of power we’re a party of influence.

“Hopefully with more influence Boris will have to become a proper Mayor and start coming up with policies which are going to benefit Londoners in the long term.”

It currently trails the BNP in the constituency vote, with the nationalist party in fifth, and the Greens in seventh.

Residents’ Association Candidate Malvin Brown is fourth.

• Keep checking the Romford Recorder website and www.london24.com for latest updates.