Nigel Farage has hinted he could return to frontline politics - if the Prime Minister fails to deliver a deal on Brexit.

The former party leader was in Thanet at the weekend to rally support for local candidate Rev Stuart Piper.

Asked if he had any intention to come back to take on a leading role in the party after quitting in 2015 - and then returning as an interim - he said: “Would I rule out ever coming back to the front line again? That depends on whether this Prime Minster delivers.

"If she does as well with Brexit as she did as Home Secretary with immigration, then ask me that question in two years' time and I may well say, 'Do you know what, the job's unfinished'.”

It comes as an exclusive poll for the KM Group suggests that support for Ukip in Kent has plunged, with just 2% of voters backing the party compared with 24% in a similar survey conducted in 2015.

The poll also suggests that new man in charge, Paul Nuttall, is much less popular than the party's former leader. Just 1% see him as the party leader who would make the best Prime Minister.

Mr Farage was in a confident mood during his visit to Thanet, saying the party could yet spring a surprise in the election and the odds on a Ukip win in South Thanet had narrowed.

He also revealed that the party had come close to not standing a candidate in South Thanet as Conservative Craig Mackinlay was a hard Brexiteer.

However, he had urged them to field one because he believed at the time the ongoing investigation into claims concerning the Conservative party election expenses would benefit Ukip.

"There was a consideration here [in Thanet] about whether to field a candidate here at all because Craig like me is a strong Brexiteer.

"I said 'you have got to'. I would have thought that we must be in with a very good chance. It is a straight race between Ukip and Labour."

He said he did not regret his decision not to stand again but had felt a little bitter about the result in 2015.

He added: "Life moves on. Do I feel bitter? I regret much of the behaviour of 2015 - but not mine."