The future of the former Manston airport has taken centre stage in the contest to be the next leader of Ukip.

The three leading contenders are split over what should happen in the wake of the Ukip-led council deciding that a cargo airport would not be commercially viable.

Two of the candidates - Suzanne Evans and Raheem Kassam - say they would review the council’s position and if possible renew the campaign to reopen it as an airport.

But Paul Nuttall, considered by some to be the favourite, said he was prepared to be led by the council. He is being backed in the contest by the council’s ruling Ukip group.

In a statement, he said: "I have every faith in the Ukip group on the council, and would be happy to be led by what they feel is best on this issue.

"They are in contact with residents and will know much better than the national party leader what their community wants.”

He added that Manston could offer a temporary solution while the debate about the expansion of Heathrow took place.

If Heathrow want an interim solution whilst they ponder the intricacies of a new runway, we may have one they could borrow - Paul Nuttall

“The Ukip-run council in Thanet stands ready to work with Heathrow, Gatwick, or the government to do what may be necessary to bring jobs and value to Manston Airport.

"If Heathrow want an interim solution whilw they ponder the intricacies of a new runway, we may have one they could borrow.

"But the window of opportunity for Manston Airport is closing quicker than the government’s ability to make decisions.

"As ever in this saga, we await evidence and plans which reflect real interest.”

His two rivals have taken a different view,both saying that they would push for Manston to reopen as an airport.

The council recently released the findings of a report by consultants that concluded it was highly unlikely the former airport could be commercially viable.

Consultants said it would take decades for any investor who took on Manston as a cargo operation to make any money and even then, any chance of success would hinge on there being no increase in aviation capacity in the south east for 50 years - something it describes as a “low probability”.

As a result, the authority said it could no longer recommend that Manston as an airport be retained in its local plan - its long-term development blueprint for the area.