A FORMER Bromley Council leader is launching a bid for the top job in Lewisham.

Chris Maines has been announced as the man the Liberal Democrats hope will bring them to power and unseat current Labour Mayor Steve Bullock.

If elected, Mr Maines says his first priority will be to scrap the directly-elected mayoral system, which was introduced in 2002.

Mr Maines has been a Bromley councillor for 20 years and has stood for Parliament in the Orpington constituency four times.

But the 47-year-old, who also led the neighbouring authority between 1998 and 2001, says he has come to Lewisham for a new challenge.

He said: "The Lib Dem team here are very enthusiastic and a great bunch to work with.

"Labour has become too complacent in Lewisham and it needs someone to stir it up. Hopefully I can do that.

"It is a very exciting prospect for me."

Mr Maines, who will also stand in the Blackheath ward, has pledged to raise education attainment levels and improve the council housing stock in the borough.

If chosen as Lewisham's second directly-elected mayor, he has also promised to hold a referendum to scrap the position.

He added: "The idea of a single person taking responsibility for the vision of a local authority sounds good in theory but it doesn't work in practice.

"Too much power is being invested in one person. You get far better decision-making when issues are debated more fully."

Lewisham Lib Dem leader Councillor Mark Morris paid tribute to Mr Maines' "energy" and "capacity for hard work".

He added: "Chris will provide a powerful voice for Lewisham residents."

The mayoral elections will be held in Lewisham in May.