The UKIP county councillor Bob Neaves, who represents Folkestone South, has resigned from the party to sit as an independent.

Cllr Neaves was elected in 2013 when the party returned 17 councillors and became the formal opposition at County Hall.

He declined to give his reasons for standing aside saying he would be issuing a press statement later.

However, he did confirm that he intended to stand at the forthcoming county council election in May.

UKIP has already had one member leave to be an independent. Jeff Elenor did so in protest over the Manston airport saga.

UKIP David Baker also stood down and in a by-election, Conservative Carole Waters won the Romney Marsh division with a majority of over 1,000.

Since the May 2013 elections, the UKIP group at County Hall has shrunk from 17 to 14.

There have been three by-elections for KCC since the last full election in May 2013 all of which have been won by Conservatives.

The May election could prove challenging for UKIP after their shock success four years ago. Group leader Roger Latchford is retiring and others are not expected to stand for a second term.