'London has more vitality than Paris'

They have been locked in rivalry as Europe's two leading cities for centuries.

But as London and Paris prepare for mayoral elections that will set their future course for years to come, it is the British capital that is edging ahead, the Economist magazine claims.

Paris chooses its municipal leader on Sunday, while London - now only two and a quarter hours away by Eurostar - votes on 1 May.

In a detailed comparison between the two cities that will delight Mayor Ken Livingstone, the Economist claims it is London that has vitality to put it on a par with New York.

It says: "Sprawling crowded, hectic serendipitous: like it or not London as a whole seems to be kept going by a form of raw energy."

There are about 200,000 French residents in London, many working in well-paid jobs in the City, and only 22,000 Britons living in Paris.

London's dominant position was underlined three years ago when it won the race to host the Olympics.