UKIP leader Nigel Farage will appear in Bolton next month in a bid to convince residents to vote for Britain to leave the European Union.

Mr Farage will host an event at the Bolton Whites Hotel on February 8 in his capacity as leader of UKIP and co-president of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group.

He will be joined on stage by MEP Steven Woolfe, who is UKIP's spokesman for Migration and Financial Affairs.

The event is being funded by EFDD - a Eurosceptic political group in the European Parliament which is currently campaigning across the country in favour of a 'Brexit."

An in/out referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union will be held at some point before the end of 2017, with Prime Minister David Cameron suggesting a vote could take place as early as this summer.

Mr Cameron is currently attempting to renegotiate the terms of our membership and is hoping to secure crucial reforms which he will then use to campaign for a yes vote.

UKIP have placed a British exit from Europe at the top of their agenda and Mr Farage will tell voters in Bolton that an independent Britain will offer more freedom and prosperity for its citizens.

Helping to organise the visit has been Bolton UKIP chairman, Little Lever and Darcy Lever Councillor Paul Richardson.

He said he was "delighted" to have Mr Farage and Mr Woolfe coming to the borough.

He said: "I am very happy that people in Bolton will have the chance to hear them speak, they are both powerful public speakers when you hear them live.

"I would urge everyone to come and listen, regardless of whether your mind is made up or not, it is worth the trip up to The Macron to hear what they have to say and I believe that even pro-Europe people will be left with

quite a lot to think about afterwards."

Part of Cllr Richardson's job as branch chairman is to get Bolton residents to vote 'out' in the referendum.

He added: "Staying in the EU will affect every person in Bolton in terms of a lack of border controls and migration from the EU putting an ever greater strain on our schools, hospitals and housing.

"In a deprived area like Bolton we already have major struggles in these areas and they will only get worse."

Doors for the February 8 event open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start, tickets can be obtained for free at saynotoeu.com/events