Labour has appealed to Liberal Democrat and Conservative supporters to vote tactically to stop Ukip leader Nigel Farage from becoming MP for South Thanet.

The surprising appeal echoes a call by Conservative leader David Cameron to voters in the Rochester and Strood by-election last year to consider tactical voting to stop Ukip defector Mark Reckles becoming MP.

But the appeal by Will Scobie, Labour candidate for the area, has drawn short shrift from rival candidates while Ukip says it reflects desperation within the Labour camp.

Some recent polls have indicated Labour is best placed to defeat Nigel Farage in May, although others suggest the Conservatives are the main challenger.

A letter sent to thousands of voters, largely in Tory wards, by Will Scobie said he was "fed up of people from outside our area coming here, running us down and trying to use us for their own political ends."

It continues: "A lot of this started when Nigel Farage decided he could capitalise on the problems he thought we were having through being on the frontline to our country."

"I say it's a bit rich for a wealthy banker who lives in London and Brussels to think he can come here and tell us what to do."

"If previously you have voted Conservative or Liberal Democrat, I ask you to lend me your support and join Labour voters, even for this election only, so we can vote to save South Thanet and defeat Nigel Farage."

Liberal Democrat candidate Russ Timson swiftly distanced himself from the appeal.

"I am not in the business of aligning myself with anyone just to defeat Nigel Farage. People must vote for what they believe in. This is about South Thanet not Nigel Farage. The reality is that suppport for Ukip is on the decline."

Conservative candidate Craig Mackinlay said: "This is a two-horse race between Conservatives and Ukip. Labour has given up altogether on this seat. It is not even on the official target lists and it does not receive any money from the party nationally."

A spokesman for Nigel Farage said:"Now the establishment parties aren't even hiding the fact that they want tactical voting between them to try and keep out Nigel, the front runner. Will Scobie only needs to ask his neighbours, as we did this morning, what they think of this level of immaturity to realise it doesn't wash here."

The battle for South Thanet appears to be increasingly close with just weeks before voters go to the polls.