LEWISHAM residents should vote on whether they want to elect their own mayor, councillors say.

For the first time in London, a referendum will be held to decide if the mayor should be elected by council taxpayers.

The unanimous decision to hold the referendum was made at a council meeting last week.

Lewisham had to review the way the mayor was elected as part of a compulsory review of local government.

The borough's residents were canvassed in a letter and media blitz by the council in at attempt to find out what taxpayers' preferences were.

Consultation on the proposed changes will continue and the proposed referendum question will go to the Government for approval by June.

An on-line consultation and workshops will be held before polling day, which, the council says, should be some time in October.

A new mayor will be elected in May, 2002.