A Lewisham mayoral hopeful has been charged with criminal damage and is set to appear in court.

John Hamilton, 58, is running as the mayoral candidate for People Before Profit in next month's elections.

But the activist, of Pendrell Road, Brockley, has now been charged following an incident in New Cross on March 9.

It is claimed that Mr Hamilton painted the fence of a Lewisham Council-owned development in Besson Street with a political message about the lack of affordable homes in the borough.

And he is also alleged to have damaged a council-owned car with a paintbrush.

A spokeswoman for Lewisham police said Mr Hamilton had been summonsed to appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court on April 17.