Ukip's barnstorming start to the Rochester and Strood by-election countdown continued today with three former Medway Conservatives defecting to the anti-EU party.

Unsurprisingly, Mark Reckless's campaign agent and former Tory local aide Chris Irvine has confirmed that he is joining his boss in the Nigel Farage camp.

The Peninsula ward councillor had resigned the Tory whip following Mr Reckless's decision to quit as an MP last month.

He had briefly become an independent and it is not known if he will resign as a councillor and force a by-election.

If he does not, he will be Ukip's first Medway councillor. Medway Council election are due again in May - the same day as the general election.

The two other new Medway members are veteran Tories Richard Andrews and Kenneth Bamber.

Mr Andrews is a former chairman of the Rochester and Strood Conservatives while Mr Bamber was deputy chairman of the association. Neither are currently councillors.

The news comes after the Conservatives' shortlist for the Rochester by-election was revealed, with two Kent councillors battling to be the party’s candidate.

Kelly Tolhurst, a Medway councillor who represents the Rochester West ward and is cabinet member for education, will vie with Sevenoaks councillor Anna Firth in the selection battle.

Miss Tolhurst had her first taste under the media glare in Strood town centre this afternoon.

The marine engineer lives in Borstal and said: "I know it's going to be difficult but I think I'm up for it.

"I'm a local person and feel passionately about local issues.

"I think the way the vote is being decided is fantastic, being in a short-list of two people means I have a 50% chance of being selected.

"It's a great way of opening up politics."