The new Mercedes Benz used to ferry the mayor of Kingston to official functions is "too narrow" it was claimed last night, forcing the borough's leading dignitary to sit in the back seat.

Former mayor, councillor Dennis Doe (2003/04), used council question time to demand to know how the decision had been made to dump the previous Rover 75.

He asked: "Which males and females tested the suitability of the car for entry and exit and how was it tested?

"What are the insurance implications of the Mayor now needing to sit behind the passenger seat?"

But defending the decision to put his Worshipfulness, complete with chains of office and robes, in the back of the E-class Merc, council leader Derek Osborne said it was better than the "pretty scratchy" Golf of a few year's ago which kept breaking down.

The final shortlist for the three year lease included an eco-friendly' Lexus, Chrysler 300c and the Mercedes E-class after being rounded down from "a dozen" vehicles.

But a lease for the Lexus was rejected because it didn't portray "the right image" for the Royal borough and had less legroom and very little boot space, according to the leader of Kingston Council.

Coun Derek Osborne said the car was better than the "pretty scratchy Golf" which used to be the mode of transport for mayors of the past saying it had been "off the road for a third of the year because the rest of the year it was broken down and unusable".

But he said talking about which car the Mayor drives was a distraction from the others discussed including schools places, garden-grabbing and the redevelopment of Kingston town centre.

He said: "One of the things that has not registered is the choice of the Mayoral car and whether people getting into it think it is too narrow."

The Mayor of Kingston has been a symbol of authority and dignity since Thomas Agar was appointed by James II in 1685.

The 96th recorded Mayor David Berry will raise money for the Forces Children's Trust and Combat Stress at this weekend's Dragon Boat Races on the River Thames.