By Nikki Jarvis

nikki.jarvis@essnmedia.co.uk

New Addington residents were treated to a surprise visit from Boris Johnson but the Mayor of London's appearance was only announced that morning, before he held a Q&A at the Addington Community Association (ACA) building and went on a walkabout in Central Parade.

His trip had been organised by Tony Pearson, the Tories' council candidate for New Addington, who hailed the trip on April 22 as a success.

Mr Pearson, who is also chair of New Addington & Fieldway Conservative branch, said: "Boris met around 100 people and got a very positive response and answered residents' concerns about unemployment and housing.

"He wanted people to know that he's working on the outer areas of London, not just on the central parts."

But some people on the estate were left unimpressed at the "lack of publicity" for the event.

Independent parliamentary hopeful Michael Castle, from Pirbright Crescent, New Addington, said the visit should have been better advertised.

"I only found out in the morning and I think if you're going to have the Mayor of London visit the community, you should tell as many people as possible."

Michael was unimpressed by Boris' chat with locals, claiming the leader was impersonal.

The 19-year-old said: "He didn't really tailor his answers to New Addington, it was more stock phrases.

"I think he could have been a bit better prepared and known the issues of the community."

ACA president Ron Sealey said he was only made aware of the visit after Boris had left. He told the Advertiser: "It's a shame because I would have liked to speak to him and hear what he had to say.

But Tony Pearson said everyone had been welcome.

"We only had Boris' attendance confirmed a couple of days before, so we handed out leaflets on the morning, and all were welcome to attend," he explained.