London  - Conservative candidate Boris Johnson was Friday reported to be ahead in the race to become Mayor of London in a dramatic contest that could unseat Labour's Ken Livingstone.

Early results from the election count suggested that Johnson, a 44-year-old journalist and Conservative member of parliament (MP), was ahead in 9 out of 14 constituencies, the BBC said.

A defeat for Livingstone would be a further severe blow to the Labour Party of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which suffered heavy losses in separate local elections in parts of England and in Wales which were held Thursday, on the same day as the London poll.

At an estimated 45 per cent, turnout in London was at a record high. In the last mayoral contest four years ago, 37 per cent of Londoners voted.

The results are due later Friday. (dpa)