LEADER of UKIP Nigel Farage will come to Bolton next week to explain why he thinks Britain should leave the European Union.

Business leaders from across the borough are invited to meet Mr Farage during his first visit to the North West in 2015.

He will be joined by his fellow MEPs Amjad Bashir, the party’s spokesman for small and medium businesses, and UKIP’s migration and financial expert Steven Woolfe.

A spokesman for the event said the event will see Mr Farage discuss the ‘facts and fiction’ of EU withdrawal, and what he believes will be the benefits to the business community should Britain pull out.

She added: “With the General Election pending, EU withdrawal will be a hot topic and this is a rare chance for businesses in Bolton to get their voices heard as the panel will be taking questions from the floor.

“Whether they challenge opinion or delegates want to pose a question in support, the event will be a unique platform for people to address the issues and get a first-hand analysis from Nigel and his panel on EU withdrawal.”

Mr Farage has been invited to take part in television debates against the leaders of the three main political parties, as support for the EU-sceptic party grows,

UKIP came top of the European election nationally in May last year, and in the North West had three MEPs elected - Paul Nuttall, Louise Bours and Steven Woolfe.

In the latest polls the party stood at 16 per cent, third to Conservatives at 34pc and Labour with 28pc.

Members from Bolton UKIP, who currently have two councillors on Bolton Council, will also be in attendance at the meal.

The three-course dinner will take place on Friday, January 23 at the Bolton Whites Hotel, which will be followed by a presentation by the panel and a question and answer session with delegates.

Tickets cost £45 each, or £400 for a table of ten.

Arrival is at 7pm, with dinner served at 8pm.

To book a ticket, email James Barker at wayforward@ymail.com.