ROBIN Tilbrook, of the English Democrats, has now lodged a formal petition with Epping Forest District Council calling for a referendum on a directly elected mayor.

The Guardian took to the streets to sample local residents' opinions on the subject.

Elizabeth Atkins, 60, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, said: “I suppose it might add a bit of colour to the area but I think things are going along all right at the moment and we don't really need one.”

Folake Ayandare, 38, of Copperfields, Chigwell, said: “I think it's a good idea. People would have someone they could look up to and they would know who to go to if they had a complaint.”

Glenice McMillan, 73, of The Lindens, Loughton, said: “It would depend who was the mayor, what party he was from and what kind of a man he was. I don't think we need one. The way things work at the moment is all right.”

Joseph Eaton, 67, of Theydon Bower, Epping, said: “Why not? The Conservative mayor in London is doing well. If we had someone like Boris around here it might liven things up.”

Les Moss, 55, of Borders Lane, Loughton, said: “I dislike all politicians. Why would we want another Boris around here? I don't like it at all.”

Adam Moss, 28, of Borders Lane, Loughton, said: “We don't really need it. It would just be more money. They should just spend the extra money doing up Debden a bit.”