The Conservative Party's next candidate for mayor of London will be chosen by a phone and text vote open to members of the public.

Tory leader David Cameron said he wanted party members from the capital to put themselves forward for the 2008 election and be chosen by a popular vote.

The move, said to be a first, is intended to combat political apathy.

Under the new rules anyone can volunteer as long as they join the party and are eligible to stand.

Headhunters will also be used to find likely candidates "who may not otherwise have thought about being a political party candidate".

A panel will interview candidates and produce a shortlist, before the final contenders are quizzed at a series of public meetings.

Registered voters - Tory and non-Tory - can then choose between them in a London-wide vote using the same system as will be used for the mayoral elections.

In both elections since the position of mayor was created in 2000, Ken Livingstone has beaten Conservative former minister Steve Norris.

Livingstone, who stood first as an independent and then as a Labour candidate after being readmitted to the party, is expected to seek a third term.

A Conservative spokesman said Norris would be free to apply under the new rules.

Cameron said: "It's the first time in British politics that such an important post has been chosen like this.

"And it's a first for the Conservatives - we're changing our selection process for the mayor to give every Londoner a say.

"Too many people are fed up and disillusioned with politics. I hope that doing things differently will fire the public's imagination, and get them talking and thinking about politics again.

"Somewhere in London, there's a mayor in the making. If it's you, please consider applying today."