Mayor of London Boris Johnson has denied claims he 'ducked out' of making the decision about the controversial incinerator in Beddington.

Mr Johnson came under criticism from campaigners for not making the decision himself, instead leaving his deputy Sir Edward Lister to announce he had no objection to Viridor building an energy recovery facility.

The facility will incinerate up to 302,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste from Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Kingston every year, and burn it to create energy that should be distributed to neighbouring homes in the form of heat and electricity.

Speaking earlier today during a visit to Streatham and Croydon Rugby Club in Thornton Heath, The Mayor said he "took full responsibility" for all decisions made in his name.

He said: "I take responsibility for all decisions that are made in my name.

"I just think it was an administrative thing; I didn't happen to be there for the meeting in question, but I take full responsibility for the decision.

"These things are very hard to weigh up, you have got to be very careful that you take account of local concerns and local environmental anxieties. That is what we did in City Hall.

"Obviously it is very important that you boost recycling and we think this is a scheme that has merit."

"TfL chequebook" not enough to bring trams to Sutton or Crystal Palace

Mr Johnson also welcomed news Tramlink has ordered four new trams to enhance the service between Croydon and Wimbledon.

The additions, that form part a £30m programme, will see the number of trams running between the two towns increased from eight to 12 an hour by 2016.

Asked about the extensions of Tramlink to Crystal Palace and Sutton, the Mayor said he was working closely alongside the area's councils.

He said: "We are working closely with Croydon and Sutton to get it done.

"It is very important that local people understand that this wont be delivered except through co-operation between us and the local community and local business.

"It can not be a TfL chequebook alone that delivers this, it is very important people get that."

Speaking about his own future, Mr Johnson brushed off rumours he would be standing as MP for Croydon South at the next election, adding: "I have got a wonderful job as Mayor and hope to continue to do that for the next three years."