Winchester residents will be asked later this year if they would like the city to have a directly elected mayor.

Local authorities across the country have been told by Westminster to look into the system, which already operates in London with Mayor Boris Johnson, pictured.

It comes after councils were asked to examine the idea several years ago, but very few across Britain were interested. Southampton and Test Valley have already launched similar public consultations.

Winchester was in the vast majority of councils that decided to have a leader and Cabinet system instead, which is similar to Westminster.

That could be left in place, or a third option is now on the cards as well, with the new coalition Government suggesting a return the old ‘committee’ structure.

The old system gave backbench councillors greater say in running the authority. Winchester City Council is expected to ask residents which system they would prefer in the September edition of its district magazine, Perspectives. The role of Mayor of Winchester dates back to the 1190s.