UKIP leader Lord Pearson issued a rallying call to supporters in Shropshire claiming the county could be the power base for the party if it gains seats at Westminster.

Lord Pearson joined party candidates in Bridgnorth yesterday to meet potential voters and outline UKIP plans to shoppers in the town, before later moving on to Broseley.

Lord Pearson, centre, with UKIP supporters in Bridgnorth

He said he was confident that it could make a real impression on the county. It would be pressing for more rural aid if any of its candidates were elected.

“I am sure we will do well when we have candidates of the calibre of the people representing us in this area.

“We are not a one-trick pony. It is not just the ever-growing influence of the European Union that angers us.

“You cannot be a successful national party if you do not understand local issues. Shropshire is very important to us and we are very hopeful of making a difference here,” he said.

Dominance

Christopher Gill, UKIP candidate for Ludlow which includes Bridgnorth and the surrounding area, said the dominance of the EU and its Common Agricultural Policy was damaging to rural counties like Shropshire.

He said the CAP was strangling the life out of farming communities with dairy farmers being forced out of business across the region.

Lord Pearson also met candidates Denis Allen, from Telford, and Malcolm Hurst, who is contesting the Wrekin seat.

After visiting Bridgnorth, the UKIP leader went to the Syspal factory in Broseley where he met workers, chairman Tony Roberjot and managing director Chris Truman.

Syspal has recently sold one of its ground-breaking Hydrotherapy units to the Headley Court Military rehabilitation hospital at Leatherhead, Surrey.