Londoners were urged yesterday to kick out Tory and Lib Dem councillors in May's borough elections to save 260 Tube ticket offices.

Rail union TSSA and the Labour Party united to launch a campaign which they hope will turn the poll into a referendum on office closures.

Activists greeted bleary-eyed passengers at stations yesterday morning, informing them why they should reject the dangerous decision.

Mayor Boris Johnson's plan would axe 950 front-line workers in November.

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes urged passengers to send a message at the ballot box when elections for London's 32 borough councils are held on May 22.

Speaking at London Bridge station, he urged Londoners to tell Mr Johnson "what they really think about his U-turn on his 2008 election pledge to keep open every ticket office.

"He will not have to face the capital's voters again because he will almost certainly be back in the House of Commons in 2016 chasing his long-term ambition of becoming Tory Party leader.

"But Tory councillors and their Lib Dem acolytes who support this plan must be made aware of the political price they will pay if they back ticket office closures in their local boroughs.

"We say a closed ticket office makes a station less safe and secure to the travelling public.

"They will have to tell voters why they believe the complete opposite."

Shadow London minister Sadiq Khan joined Mr Cortes and Labour activists at stations.

"Under Boris Johnson fares have gone through the roof while service on the Tube has got worse," said Mr Khan.

London Underground boss Phil Hufton claimed only 3 per cent of journeys now include a visit to a ticket office.

He said that "more staff will be visible in our ticket halls" but didn't explain how that could happen with 1,000 fewer workers.