The United Kingdom Independence Party has urged Conservative supporters in Kent to switch allegiance at the European election, saying they can help send a message about the type of Conservative government they want to see.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage made a direct appeal to Euro-sceptics as he launched the party’s election manifesto in Maidstone on Friday by unveiling a large billboard poster featuring an image of Winston Churchill.

Setting out the party's aim of securing three of the seats available in the south east region, he urged to Conservatives to back UKIP.

He said they should follow in the footsteps of the recent decision of Stuart Wheeler, the Conservative party donor based in Chilham between Canterbury and Ashford, who announced he intended to back UKIP at the June poll and has given it £100,000 to help its campaign.

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Mr Farage said: "The election is a fantastic opportunity for Conservatives to tell David Cameron what type of Conservative government they want to see, so they should lend us their vote."

He said immigration and wasteful EU spending would be the party’s main campaign themes but denied the party’s views on immigration were racist or shared any similarity with the BNP.

On immigration, he said: "The only people who should decide who can come and live and work in this country is the British parliament. The truth is that [as members of the EU] we cannot control immigration and asylum policy."

He denied UKIP had reached its high water mark in 2004, saying he was unconcerned by the resurgent Conservative party.

"UKIP is a party that now represents the majority view [of the EU] in the country. We are certain we can beat Labour and the Liberal Democrats and can give the Conservatives a run for their money."

Joining the launch was Marta Anderson, who used to work for the European Commission and is the second-placed candidate on UKIP’s list.

The election takes place on June 4.