Ukip is on course to win four or five seats in Kent at the election, party leader Nigel Farage has boldly predicted.

In a rousing speech at the party's Spring conference in Margate Mr Farage took on those who believed the party's rise had ended.

In a speech notable for striking a much more positive tone about Ukip's policies, he said: "We have a track record of exceeding expectations and a track record of surprising people. Everything about our campaign is going to be positive."

He opened his speech by saying: "Welcome to Kent the most Euro-sceptic county in the country."

He went on to predict that the party was on course to win "four or five" seats in Kent but did not say which ones he had in mind.

"We are seriously challenging for four or five seats in this county alone" - Nigel Farage

"We are seriously challenging for four or five seats in this county alone."

He took on those who claimed he had not been active in his own prospective constituency, saying the reason was nothing to do with his health but he had been holding a string of meetings to which the media had not been invited.

"We are on course to win the seat," he said - a prediction that drew loud cheers.

He drew his speech with a rallying cry to activists. "I believe in Britain, I believe in you and I believe in Ukip."

A poll today suggested the party could pick up a string of seats in Kent at the election.

Earlier, Mark Reckless made a similar prediction as the conference was ambushed by the producers of a show.

A tank adorned with dancers dressed in Nazi army uniforms arrived outside the party's spring conference at the Winter Gardens in Margate today.

Rumours it was a sophisticated political protest were quashed when delegates realised it was a publicity stunt for The Producers at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley.

Mr Reckless spoke as a new poll indicated leader Nigel Farage is on course for a landslide victory in Thanet South.

"He is getting an extraordinary reception and would be a very strong voice for the area. We have very strong support in Kent" - Mark Reckless

Survation interviewed 1,011 constituents and gave Farage an 11 point lead - with 39% of the vote - with Labour candidate Will Scobie coming in second place with 28%.

Tory Craig Mackinlay came in third place with 27% of the vote, while Pub Landlord Al Murray's campaign seems to be sinking fast, with just 1% of those questioned backing him.

The poll was taken between February 18 and 20, before the screening of the controversial BBC documentary Meet the Ukippers - which showed former Ukip Thanet councillor Rozanne Duncan making 'jaw-dropping' comments about race.

Mr Reckless launched the conference with a well-received speech in which he said Ukip was the party of the NHS.

Asked about the poll, he said: "It is a good strong lead for Nigel who is leading from the front.

"He is getting an extraordinary reception and would be a very strong voice for the area. We have very strong support in Kent.

"I think people feel very let down for a very long time and it is time our interests were represented at Westminster.

"If we did get a phalanx of Ukip MPs and do hold the balance of power, we could use that to get resources for Kent."

He went on:"There are other seats like North Thanet, Sheppey where we have a number of councillors, these are the tight marginals where Ukip could come through the middle and are great opportunities for us."

Labour candidate Will Scobie took to social media after the findings were announced, tweeting: "Just seen Survation poll. Fieldwork was done before Meet the Ukippers and shows strong Labour campaign. Only I can beat Farage now."

Pub Landlord Al Murray, standing for FUKP, was backed by just 1% of those questioned.

Hundreds of activists and members will be attending the two-day conference which party chiefs hope will provide a springboard for its general election campaign.

The party will be buoyed by figures released on Wednesday showing the government attempts to limit immigration have failed.

The figures show net migration into the UK up to last September was 298,000 – some 50,000 more than when the coalition took charge.

The party has faced renewed criticism in the wake of a fly-on-the-wall documentary broadcast this week.

Mr Reckless said the party had dealt with the fallout speedily and that a disproportionate amount of attention had been paid to Ukip when other parties were having similar controversies.

The BBC 2 programme featured controversial remarks made by former UKIP councillor Rozanne Duncan, which led to her expulsion.

Mrs Duncan said she had a problem with people with “negroid features” and was expelled. She has since denied that she was racist and has vowed to campaign against UKIP at the election.

It led to a Ukip council election candidate resigning from the party in disgust.

Bob Jones, of Lydd, quit on Tuesday following Mrs Duncan's comments.

Cllr Jones, who is also Deputy Mayor of Lydd, has now withdrawn his name as a Ukip candidate for May’s Shepway District Council election.

Ukip has also been in the spotlight over another one of its county councillors this week.

The party announced that it had parted ways with Cllr Adrian Crowther, its Sheppey councillor on KCC.

The party announced it was not expecting to reselect him as a candidate and criticised him for repeatedly voting against party policy.

But 48 hours later, that decision was revoked and he was back in the party.

Our political editor will be covering the conference. Follow him on Twitter @PaulOnPolitics.

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