The Liberal Democrat candidate for London mayor has pledged to pedestrianise Oxford Street if he is elected next year.

Simon Hughes said the move would cut street crime in the centre of the Capital and provide a boost to businesses.

However critics could dismiss the stunt, being launched in the busy shopping street on Monday, as a Christmas gimmick while motorists are likely to object to the plans.

Drivers are already being asked to pay £5 per day to take their cars into central London and a further restriction on routes could spark a revolt.

But unveiling a package of transport policies, Hughes said he had consulted widely on the idea.

"Making Oxford Street a pedestrian only area would stop shoppers being buffeted by the crowds and encourage more people to come to central London," he said.

"More personal space around people would make it less likely that people would get pick-pocketed in the hustle and bustle.

"Following Tube derailments, Sars, the downturn in the economy and the introduction of congestion charge, businesses in central London have been hit especially hard.

"It is time to give some fresh and innovative thinking to the problems that London's premier shopping street has to face."

The Bermondsey MP, who has built up a high profile after 20 years in parliament, is being tipped by some experts to take advantage of the second preference votes system in next June's mayoral poll.