UKIP councillors in Bolton are backing MEP Paul Nuttall in his bid to lead the party.

The MEP for the North West of England announced he is standing for leadership on yesterday morning’s BBC One Daily Politics show.

And immediately the town’s UKIP councillors Sean Hornby, Diane Parkinson, Paul Richardson, Mark Cunningham and Rees Gibbon united to back him.

Earlier this month, Bolton’s UKIP group called for a new northern leader after Diane James stepped down just 18 days into the job.

Ms James, who was elected as Nigel Farage’s successor on September 16, left the role for professional and personal reasons.

Bolton UKIP group leader, Cllr Hornby, who represents Little Lever and Darcy Lever, believes the former deputy leader is the party’s strongest candidate.

He said: “He’s in the best position to unite the party and take on Labour head on.

“He campaigned a lot in Bolton ahead of the EU referendum and brought Nigel Farage here. He’s got a strong connection with the town.

“Bolton is the best performing area with five elected UKIP councillors who are all behind Paul to become leader.”

UKIP has gathered support in Bolton, surpassing the Liberal Democrats into third place on the council in the past few years.

Mr Nuttall said: “Having spent six years as deputy leader and previously been chairman, I believe I am best suited to take the helm of the party when Nigel Farage, who has done a sterling job as captain, finally does get the chance to get his life back.

“I stand first and foremost as a unifying candidate, demanding an end to the infighting and squabbling which performs just one purpose, that of delighting our rivals.

“I believe UKIP can simply be much bigger and better than this – but we have to work together as a united team to do so.

“And I promise this - from day one under my leadership, there is a clean slate for UKIP MEPs, domestic politicians and members. It will in effect be Day Zero. We will pull together to fight forwards, not backwards.

“Because no matter who tries to falsely take the credit, few can argue that the historic June 23 vote to leave the European Union would simply never have happened without us. Although more than 17 million British citizens voted to leave the EU, only one in four of them voted for UKIP at last year’s general election. That is precisely where our opportunity lies. I am certain now, after achieving the Brexit decision, it is time to seize the day.”

Ex-party chairman Suzanne Evans is also standing along with Bill Etheridge, Raheem Kassam and Peter Whittle.