Lambeth Council's youth mayor project has cost taxpayers nearly £70,000 - almost £20,000 more than it was originally estimated.

A review document recently published showed just £25,000 of this was spent on services for young people, with all the rest used for administration.

Only 3492 people voted on who to elect as the youth mayor - meaning it cost about £12 to administer each vote.

The vote, which took place last November, was won by 14-year-old Satya Prakash, from Leigham Court Road, Streatham.

Conservative group leader Councillor John Whelan said, "This is money that could have been spent on youth services. Instead, Labour has wasted the money on admin and red tape.

"Some of the voters were not even from Lambeth. At the last council meeting we asked if we could be provided with the relevant electoral roll, but Labour voted this down. Their faces are as red as the red ink they have produced.

"I wish the new youth mayor well, but Labour Lambeth should hang its head in shame at the costly fiasco it has produced."

But Councillor Florence Nosegbe, deputy cabinet member for young people, said the "old-fashioned" Conservatives were worried by youth and diversity.

"This is a first for the young people of Lambeth," she added.