Sutton is in "pole position" to get the extension of the tram network, a council boss has revealed.

At the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting last night, Amanda Cherrington, Sutton Council's head of economic renewal and business environment, told members Sutton is ahead of Crystal Palace in the race for the tram.

Crystal Palace, Bromley and Sutton are all trying to convince the Mayor of London Boris Johnson to extend the network after he outlined the three as "potential priorities" in October.

The Mayor asked Transport for London (TfL) to carry out a feasibility study and representatives from TfL walked along a proposed route which would see the town centre linked to St Helier Hospital and potentially Mitcham or Wimbledon.

At the meeting, Amanda Cherrington told committee members: "Bringing Tramlink to the borough has been a long term aspiration for the council and we are now in pole position."

Members approved giving £36,000 to the campaign to lobby the Mayor, which will include a communication programme in order to "clinch" the deal.

The business spokeswoman, said: "The window for lobbying is open and we are in it."

A prospectus will now be produced and launched at the Opportunity Sutton Business event later this month.

Councillors heard how the Mayor is expected to make his decision on the extension in July or August this year.

One of two huge developments proposed in Sutton, Sutton Point, a proposed £80-90m project on Sutton Court Road, has incorporated the tram into its plans.

At the launch of CNM's plans, Roger Hayes, from project told the audience there had been extensive meetings with Transport for London over the proposed Tramlink extension to the borough.