Ukip has denied any association with the far-right group Britain First after a photograph has emerged of figures from both parties posing together in Rochester.

Jayda Fransen, Britain First candidate in the Rochester and Strood by-election, is pictured smiling with David Schofield, a former Ukip council member for Enfield in Middlesex.

Ukip spokesman Richard Waghorne said Mr Schofield had been "ambushed" by Ms Fransen, deputy leader of the spin-off British National Party.

Mr Waghorne said that while Ukip did not tolerate the party, which campaigns against "Islamification" of the UK, Mr Schofield would not be prevented from getting across the Ukip message.

Mr Schofield was helping with the campaign from Ukip's pop-up office in Rochester High Street.

Former Rochester and Strood Conservative MP Mark Reckless defected to the anti-Europe party on September 27.

A by-election has been called for Thursday, November 20 in which he will stand for his new party.

Nobody from Britain First was as yet available for comment