The leader of Thanet council says he is keeping open the prospect of standing as a candidate to lead Ukip.

Cllr Chris Wells said he would not put his name forward if the former leader Nigel Farage indicated that he was preparing to enter the fray.

Paul Nuttall quit as leader after a dismal set of results in the election and claims by Mr Farage the fight for South Thanet was a two-way battle between Labour and UKIP.

Mr Nuttall’s decision has triggered the third election for a leader in a year.

Mr Wells said if the former leader declined to stand he would consider putting his name forward.

“If Nigel Farage decides he will enter the race, then I won’t,” he said.

“We do need to find another focus other than Brexit and for me, that would be adult social care.”

The party has seen its popularity sink with a 62% fall in the number of people who voted for it this election compared to 2015 in Kent.

In South Thanet, the party slumped with Conservative Craig Mackinlay trebling his majority.

Mr Farage said he believed that Theresa May was on borrowed time and has warned that the appointment of Ashford MP Damian Green is a sign the government is heading for a soft Brexit.

On Theresa May he said: "She is fatally damaged and it is just a question of time. It might all happen more quickly than we think."