Damien Egan has been selected as Labour's candidate for the Lewisham mayoral election.

Cllr Egan has been the council cabinet member for housing for the last three years.

He said: "Delighted to have been selected as Labour's candidate for Lewisham Mayor. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this possible."

He was congratulated on Twitter by Labour party members.

MP for Lewisham East Heidi Alexander said:"Congratulations to my friend @damienegan. He will listen to residents, work hard & will always put Lewisham first. Roll on the campaign."

Mayor of Lewisham Steve Bullock said: "He has the ideas, dedication and skills needed in these times to lead Lewisham - I look forward to working with him."

MP for Lewisham Deptford Vicky Foxcroft said:"Congratulations to @damienegan on becoming Labour's candidate for Mayor of Lewisham. Look forward to campaigning for him."

Cllr Egan will go up against Conservative candidate Ross Archer.

Cllr Archer said: "I congratulate Damien on his selection as the Labour candidate and look forward to debating the future of our borough with him ahead of next year’s election.

"Now is a chance for change in Lewisham, but in selecting Damien the Labour party has shown no remorse over its botched Millwall CPO by selecting the cabinet member responsible for it.

"Damien may be a nice guy, and I don’t doubt his commitment to the borough, but he cannot offer the change Lewisham deserves and needs.

"Damien is the continuity candidate and not the radical shake-up we need at the town hall."