Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone has launched a campaign to save the city's pubs. Earlier this year, figures showed a third of the East End s pubs had closed since 1997. And Mr Livingstone wants to make sure the 210 left are protected.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone has launched a campaign to save the city's pubs.

Earlier this year, figures showed a third of the East End's pubs had closed since 1997.

And Mr Livingstone wants to make sure the 210 left are protected.

He said: "Pubs are at the heart of communities across London.

"They make a huge contribution to the economy and to the everyday quality of life in our city.

"The Mayor must do far more to support London's pubs, working with councils to use planning powers to protect pubs, lobbying the government for new legislation and encouraging more community ownership of pubs."

Mr Livingstone is currently battling former Bethnal Green and Bow MP Oona King to secure the Labour Party nomination to run as Mayor of London.