The Ukip MEP Paul Nuttall has become the new party leader marking the end of Nigel Farage's nine year stint in the role.

Mr Nuttall saw off his two rivals for the job - fellow MEP Suzanne Evans and John Rees-Evans - which became vacant after Diane James resigned last month, 18 days after her election.

The party has since been led on an interim basis by Nigel Farage, who has continued to make headlines notably after being the first UK politician to meet the new President-elect Donald Trump.

He recently suggested that if the election for the South Thanet seat has to be re-run in the wake of claims about Conservative expenses, he would stand as party again as the party's candidate.

Mr Nuttall faces a challenge to unite the party after a successful Brexit campaign as many have questioned the party's future and the need for it.

In a speech to party members after his victory, he said: "There will be one theme - unity."

"It is Day Zero - it means all factions coming together. The country needs a strong Ukip. Under my leadership, Britain will get the Brexit it voted for."

Speaking ahead of today's announcement, he said he was the best equipped candidate to bring the different factions in the party together.

"We need a strong UKIP there in the background to ensure that Brexit means Brexit and I believe that UKIP can become the patriotic face of working people."

Diane Evans, who was elected but unexpectedly stood down saying she did not have the confidence of senior party officials, has now quit the party altogether.

Mr Nuttall is seen as someone who can sustain the party's appeal particularly with disaffected former Labour supporters in the north.

He has been endorsed by the Ukip leader of Thanet council Chris Wells, who said: "He will attract the support of MEPs, councillors and assembly members across the land, and, more importantly, fire the imagination and enthusiasm of party members.”