UKIP predict local election gains

Roger Knapman leads the UK Independence Party

The UK Independence Party, which favours withdrawal from the EU, predicts it will win 15 to 20 seats in Thursday's local council elections.

A spokesman said the party's activists hoped for a good result in Barking and Dagenham, and in Hartlepool where they came third in a 2004 by-election.

UKIP are fielding 320 candidates across the country for the local English poll.

"We hope to pick up 15-20 seats but may do better given the mess the main parties are in," said the spokesman.

UKIP officials estimate they currently have between 30 and 50 district and borough councillors.

They say they cannot give an exact figure because the issue is in the hands of local UKIP branches rather than the party centrally.

Some of the party's councillors defected to it, rather than being elected in its colours.

A UKIP spokesman said this year's local elections were "preparatory to the big ones next year".

About 4,360 council seats are up for grabs in England on Thursday, including all of London councils.