More than 110,000 people have urged London's mayor Sadiq Khan to declare independence from the UK after the country's Brexit vote in the EU referendum, as a way to ensure the capital's membership of the bloc.

A 'Londependence' petition was set up by freelance writer James O'Malley on Change.org. He tweeted: "Definitely didn’t expect to end the day as the de-facto leader of a secessionist movement."

Mr O'Malley tried to tempt Mr Khan with the lure of a more prestigious title, and wrote: "Mayor Sadiq, wouldn't you prefer to be President Sadiq? Make it happen!"

Some 700,000 more Londoners - about 2.2m - said they wanted to remain a part of the EU than said they wanted to leave.

Read more: Mayor Sadiq Khan to London's EU migrants: 'You are welcome here'

Would you live in a London independent from the rest of the UK? Current city-states include Singapore, Monaco and the Vatican City.

Ancient Rome and Athens shared a similar status.