Filbert Fox has clawed his way to the top of the political pile to claim the top spot in the city's first mayoral election.

However, he will not be making decisions on behalf of residents just yet – the fun poll was launched, in the spirit of democracy, by the Leicester Mercury, to get a taste of who people would like to see in the top post.

Second place went to Peter Coley, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Leicester City Council, with Gary Lineker being voted third most popular of the 12 candidates.

In last place was Ross Willmott, leader of the city council.

In a victory speech on behalf of Filbert Fox, a Leicester City spokesman said: "This is great news for Filbert and for the football club. He has beaten some tough opposition. After winning Mascot of the Year recently at the Mercury Sports Awards, he is certainly reeling in the victories.

"With Filbert's victory over all the celebs and politicians, and the football club sitting top of the league, it is a great time to be a Foxes fan.

"I'm sure Filbert would make a fantastic mayor."

Filbert scooped 633 votes, a quarter of the 2,551 votes cast by Mercury readers in the poll, which ran for two weeks.

Western Park councillor Peter Coley, who secured 461 votes, 19 per cent of the total, said: "My heartiest congratulations to a worthy adversary.

"I must say it's a surprise to come second, and to beat Gary is great. Not many people know, but me and Gary are second cousins, so we're keeping it in the family.''

In fourth place, after Gary, was Leicester's fashion guru Gok Wan, who got 223 votes.

His brother, Kwoklyn Wan, who runs Urban Martial Arts, in St John's Street, Leicester, said: "I've always been proud of my little brother and to beat some of the people he did is an achievement.

"It just goes to show what the people of Leicester think of Filbert Fox, though, even after all these years they still love him.

"But well done to Gok and I'm sure he would have made a great mayor."

Ross Willmott got 38 votes, one per cent of the total.

He said: "The fact that people have seen the poll and not taken it seriously is reflected in the result.

"Myself and my party won the election that mattered, and when it comes to serious voting I'm confident the people will use their votes wisely."

The Mercury ran the online poll after the national Conservative Party announced it would switch to a London-style mayoral vote in many big cities, including Leicester, if it won the next election.

Leicester is run by a cabinet of councillors chosen by the leaders of the biggest party on the city council.

The full vote was:

Filbert the Fox 25%

Peter Coley 19%

Gary Lineker 13%

Gok Wan 8%

Engelbert 6%

Martin Johnson 6%

Patricia Hewitt 5%

John Mugglestone 5%

Keith Vaz 5%

Sir Peter Soulsby 4%

Manjula Sood 3%

Ross Willmott 1%