Mayor Ken Livingstone supports the office of Stoke elected mayor

Mr Livingstone told the BBC he believed people in the city should opt for the current elected mayor system in a referendum planned for next year.

Speaking while he was meeting Labour members, he said people should opt for the system even if they did not want current Labour Mayor, Mark Meredith.

Mr Livingstone said it was the last chance to vote on how the city is run.

"Even if you think Mark is the biggest waste of time, you have got a chance of getting a better mayor in the next election.

"Don't throw out the system because it will be the last chance you get to influence the way the city is run."

When he was elected Mr Meredith promised people in the city they would get a chance to vote in a referendum on whether his position should be kept or abolished.