THE MAYOR of London, Ken Livingstone has "guaranteed" Harrow residents will not pay more tax to fund the 2012 Olympics.

Since April, Londoners have had to pay a special Olympic council precept tax of 38p per week.

The special tax could last for 12 years, after it was agreed in 2003 that Londoners would foot £550million of the cost of the 2012 Olympics.

Speaking on BBC Radio London, the Mayor, said: "'I know concerns have been raised recently about increases to council tax to pay for the Olympics, I guarantee to Harrow residents that there will not be a rise."

He added: "Last year we set the Olympics council tax precept at 38p for the average London Council Tax Payer. It will remain at 38p next year and the year after and the year after that. When people see that it has not risen from 38p they will accept my firm guarantee - that Londoners will not be asked to pay any more to fund the 2012 Games."

Mr Livingstone also promised the Olympics would bring £17billion of investment to the capital, thousands of new homes and 50,000 new jobs.

Cllr Chris Mote, leader of Harrow Council, said: "I am pleased that Ken Livingstone has confirmed that Londoners should not have to dig any deeper into their pockets to cover any extra costs needed to stage the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Harrow residents are already paying their fair share towards the costs of staging these games and we have consistently opposed any further increase."

Mr Livingstone added: "The Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Harrow."

The Mayor explained that concil tax would stay at 38p for this year and the next year.