THE Tories' candidate for next month's London Mayoral elections has pledged to stop planned closures of ticket offices at tube stations.

Boris Johnson said he wanted to keep manned ticket offices as part of a drive to reduce crime on public transport.

Yesterday Mr Johnson visited Harrow North tube station, where last summer thousands of residents signed a petition campaigning against the closure of its ticket office.

He said: "It's important because people need human beings, particularly at places like tube stations. If people feel scared at the station they will stop using it.

"We cannot replace real face to face contact with CCTV as a deterant for crime prevention.

"There is no point moving people from one office to another job altogether if it will not be saving any money.

"We should keep the offices open."

Mr Johnson has also said he will hold an amnesty to allow illegal immigrants to become citizens if he becomes Mayor, a move which has been criticised by Tory leader David Cameron.

During yesterday's visit, Mr Johnson took the opportunity to defend his position, saying: "I feel very strongly about this, as every month for years now people have been to see me about this issue.

"I believe we need to allow these people who have been here illegally to regularise their positions.

"This will allow people who cannot be returned to sort their lives out and start paying taxes and contributing to society."

The MP for Henley also said he would make it a one off event, and was in favour of stronger border controls.

He said: "I do not think it will encourage people to come over here in the hope that in four years there will be another amnesty.

"I also want to speak out for those London boroughs which are not getting adequate funding to keep up with the huge increase in immigrants coming in, and ask the Government to provide it."