BORIS Johnson visited Crayford this morning to officially open the Europa Gym and talk about his plans for Bexley if he is re-elected in May.

The Mayor of London spent the morning at the state-of-the-art gym, in Maiden Lane, which is the official training venue for Olympic and Paralympic volleyball teams this summer.

He was given a tour of the facilities and watched a showcase of gymnastics, boxing, martial arts and dance.

Centre managers Len Arnold and his wife, ex-Olympic champion Yvonne, also welcomed the Olympics minister Hugh Robertson and Bexley Council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill to the centre.

The mayor said: “This is going to be the crucible in which our new talent is being forged.

“Look how many athletes we have got here from Bexley this morning - they’re doing things I couldn’t begin to do in my life.

“This gym is a magnificent example of the legacy this great summer of sport is now bringing to the capital.”

Previously based in a converted industrial building in Erith, two years ago the gym faced the prospect of closing for financial reasons.

However, a Bexley Council lead project team secured funding, including £1.24 million from Sport England’s legacy programme, to build the new gym in Crayford.

Looking ahead to the London Mayoral election on May 3, Mr Johnson outlined his plans for Bexley.

He told News Shopper: “We’re going to continue with the work of driving down crime.

“I’m very proud of the record we have over the past four years of reducing bus crime by 30 per cent.

“We’re going to keep expanding our public transport network.

“One thing that will really help us expand is the proposed tunnel between Greenwich and Silvertown that will relieve congestion going over the river.”

The mayor says he will also keep council tax rates low and protect high streets - such as the Broadway in Bexleyheath - from out-of-town shopping centre competition.

The Europa Gym - which includes a gymnastic hall, a weightlifting and health and fitness studio and physiotherapy and treatment rooms – is open to the public now.

Visit Bexley.gov.uk for details.