Boris campaign boosted by £1.5m

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said yesterday that if his Tory opponent Boris Johnson prevails today it will be because he ran a better campaign. However, it may also have something to do with the level of financial backing the blond bombshell has enjoyed. It is revealed in the Financial Times that donations have pushed his campaign total to more than £1.5m, significantly more than his Labour rival.

Lord Marland, the former Tory treasurer and Johnson's fundraiser, is understandably delighted. "It's from a very wide range of sources," he said, "We've been getting cheques for £5, for £50... we've had a number of people just phoning up out of the blue. It's amazing.”

However, both Johnson and Livingstone are agreed that the race is neck-and-neck. "It really comes down to turnout," says a campaign source. "If it’s high it favours Ken, if low, Boris. A big factor is the weather. Ken will be praying for the rain to hold off. Boris will be doing a rain dance." And the forecast? Intermittent cloud, rain and wind.