A Kent MP has acknowledged that the Conservatives are likely to lose ground at this week's council elections.

More than 500 council wards across the county are up for grabs in Thursday's poll which is taking place against the backdrop of the unresolved issue of Brexit.

Faversham and Mid Kent Conservative MP Helen Whately, who last week was appointed as the party’s new deputy chairman, said the party faced a challenge on Thursday and admitted there was a lot of anger around Brexit.

It comes just days after former Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe announced she would be supporting Nigel Farage's Brexit party.

Miss Widdecombe also expressed her sadness at having to stand down as president of the Conservative Association, a position she has held since stepping down as MP 19 years ago.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's election, Mrs Whately said: “I think there is no doubt that it will be a difficult night for us; they come at a time in the election cycle which makes it difficult for us.”

But she downplayed the significance the failure to agree a deal on the UK's terms of departure from the EU would have on results.

“When I am out on the doorstep I hear from time to time people saying: ‘I am frustrated with politicians as a whole, not just the Conservatives.’ But these are local elections; this is about who you want to see elected as your local councillor; who you think is going to deliver on a day-to-day basis local services.”

At the same time, she accepted the election could see voters using it as an opportunity to send a protest message over the government's handling of Brexit.

In an interview on “Sophy Ridge on Sunday” on Sky she said: “That could well hit the figures for us... there is a lot of anger about; I feel there is more anger in politics than there was before. On the other hand there are people who want to talk to us; particularly when they want to focus on local issues.”

She denied that Theresa May was a problem when it came to winning voters round: “Actually more often what I hear on the doorstep is people saying ‘wow, it must be really tough for the Prime Minister’ and praising her resilience. That is what I hear far more than criticism.”

Kent Online will be providing a full results service with reaction on Thursday’s election. Some councils will be holding counts on Friday.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.