Boris defends London after tourists slam the restaurants

Politicians and celebrities have defended London after the capital was rated one of the worst tourist centres in Europe by a major survey.

London was branded dirty, unfashionable and Europe's worst city for food in the survey by American travel website TripAdvisor.

However, Boris Johnson today rubbished the results and said he was "baffled" by the survey.

The Mayor said: "No other city in the world can match the range, quality and innovation of London's restaurant scene. There are Michelin-starred restaurants, terrific gastropubs and a variety of ethnic cooking you will not get anywhere else."

Marcus Wareing, whose two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, recently came 52nd in a list of the world's top 100 restaurants, also praised London's food. He said: "It's a bit of a surprise to hear these results. You have to really question where these people are eating."

Londoners were also voted Europe's worst-dressed in the survey of 2,400 travellers.

Ken Kelling, from Visit London, said: "London welcomed over 26 million visitors in 2008 and remains the number one city destination of choice for international visitors. Clearly London has fantastic appeal."