Click on each of the stories to see how the contest developed.

March 1998: A White Paper is published setting out the government's plans to honour a manifesto pledge and create London's first elected mayor and a new elected assembly for the capital.

London mayor plans revealed

August 1998: Former Greater London Council leader and Labour MP Ken Livingstone makes his intentions clear by launching his manifesto for the contest.

Livingstone launches manifesto for mayor

May 1999: The Bill clearing the way for the Greater London Assembly and elected mayor is agreed in Parliament.

London bill passes Commons

July 1999: A list of eight mayoral hopefuls, including frontrunners Jeffery Archer and Steve Norris, is drawn up by the Tories.

Tories draw up mayoral shortlist

August 1999: Way ahead of the rest of the pack, the Liberal Democrats select their candidate.

Lib Dem aims to beat fame factor

October 1999: Millionaire novelist Jeffrey Archer easily wins the race to become the Tories' mayoral candidate.

Tories back Archer for mayor

October 1999: After months of uncertainty, Health Secretary Frank Dobson leaves the cabinet and puts himself forward as Labour's candidate.

Dobson: I want to be mayor

November 2000: And after an even longer period of speculation, Ken Livingstone wins his battle with Labour's hierarchy and is allowed to stand in the party's mayoral contest.

Livingstone scrapes through

November 1999: Jeffrey Archer quits the contest following revelations that he asked a friend to provide him with a false alibi before a libel trial.

Archer quits mayoral race

December 1999: Beaten by Jeffrey Archer and then dropped from the Conservative shortlist, Steve Norris gets a second chance.

Norris wins his reprieve

January 2000: And after all the comings and goings, London Conservatives finally choose their candidate.

Norris wins Tory mayoral race

January 2000: Labour's even more tortuous selection procedure comes to an end at last.

Labour backs Dobson for mayor

March 2000: But within weeks the party is in turmoil as Ken Livingstone decides to go it alone.

Livingstone to run for mayor

March 2000: The left-winger is immediately suspended from the party - but opinion polls suggest he is well ahead of all his rivals.

Labour suspends Livingstone

3 April 2000: Labour tells Ken Livingstone he is to be expelled from the party as nominations close for mayoral candidates.

Labour expels Livingstone

4 April 2000: Tory Steve Norris unveils his manifesto - and predicts a poll disaster for Labour.

Norris predicts Dobson humiliation

13 April 2000: Liberal Democrat Susan Kramer launches her manifesto, and says she is the only candidate who can stop Ken Livingstone.

Kramer - I can stop Livingstone

12 April 2000: Prime Minister Tony Blair makes his first appearance on the mayoral campaign trail to back Frank Dobson.

Blair backs Dobson - in person

12 April 2000: Ken Livingstone finds himself at the centre of controversy over comments on the international finance system.

Livingstone criticised over 'Hitler' comment

13 April 2000: An opinion poll suggests a fall in support for Ken Livingstone, but there is no good news for Frank Dobson.

Polls latest: Livingstone still ahead, Dobson third

17 April 2000: Ken Livingstone uses the internet to unveil his manifesto, putting transport at its heart.

Livingstone unveils mayor manifesto

20 April 2000: Prime Minister Tony Blair again comes to Frank Dobson's aid as Labour bids to stop Mr Livingstone.

Blair joins Dobson to slam rivals

26 April 2000: Tory Steve Norris defends his party from accusations of racism.

Norris defends 'unpleasant' Tories

27 April 2000: Early voting starts for the mayoral contest, with an opinion poll suggesting that Mr Livingstone's lead was holding firm.

Voting starts as poll buoys Livingstone

28 April 2000: Ken Livingstone predicts that Labour will allow him to return to the party after the mayoral poll.

Livingstone: I'll be back in Labour this year

2 May 2000: Mr Livingstone's rivals attempt to link his support for "direct action" to violence during May Day anti-capitalist protests in London.

Livingstone attacked on 'direct action'