UKIP leader Nigel Farage described Essex as "the most Eurosceptic of counties" as he paid a visit to back his party's contender to be police and crime commissioner.

Mr Farage joined former Castle Point MP Bob Spink in Tilbury on Friday afternoon, one of 15 areas in the county where station front counters have closed in the latest wave of Essex Police cuts.

The party leader told the Echo he expected Essex would vote strongly in favour of leaving the EU in June's referendum.

Essex had been at the forefront of Ukip's campaigning a year ago, as Mr Farage launched his General Election campaign on Canvey, but the party ultimately failed to elect MPs in target seats Thurrock and Castle Point.

Mr Farage said: "We lost the last national election, but in the locals we did very well. Last year unfortunately we had the SNP issue arise in the middle of campaigning and there was nothing we could do about it.

"But our support is very, very solid in Essex. In fact, we think our voters are the keenest here.

"Essex is still one of our top two or three focus points."

Despite the rainy conditions, a small crowd joined Mr Farage, Mr Spink and their entourage as they gathered outside the now closed police station.

With council elections and the police and crime commissioner vote taking place on Thursday, May 5, Mr Farage remains confidence of a strong performance in Essex.

And despite the prominence of Tory big-hitters, such as London mayor Boris Johnson, in the campaign to leave the EU, Mr Farage insists Ukip remain as relevant as ever.

He said: "The Tories have lots and lots of Tory voters. Ukip is different - what Ukip has done very well is appeal to ‘non-voters’.

"And that is our plan - to reach out to non-voters as they have a really crucial role to play.

"In terms of Europe, Essex is definitely the most sceptical of counties. I would be very surprised if a strong majority vote to stay in the EU."

As a party based on a desire for Britain to leave the EU, June's referendum will prove a decisive moment for Ukip's future.

But Mr Farage has pointed to the example of the Scottish National Party as proof Ukip could still survive even if the country votes to stay in Europe.

He said: "The SNP lost the referendum and the country but they remained the lead party in politics.

"I think Ukip is in a very similar position right now, however I also wouldn’t like to speculate about what would happen after the referendum."