Al Murray's Pub Landlord has been forced to cancel a planned parachute jump into Kent today - after being told he is "too overweight" for the stunt.

The comedian was due to touch down at Headcorn this morning as part of his ongoing fight to win South Thanet for FUKP.

But he has now posted on Twitter to say he is "too heavy to jump" adding that he is "yet another tragic victim of the country's obesity epidemic".

The tweet is accompanied by a photo of Mr Murray looking downcast as he stands on a set of scales.

After the jump, the comic had planned to deliver a speech at the New Inn pub in Sandwich, where, he said, sandwiches would be available.

At a press conference, he said: "I hope this settles once and for all the issue of whether I am indeed a political heavyweight."

In a statement earlier this week, the Pub Landlord said: “I was shocked when it was widely regarded that I’d been parachuted into South Thanet.

Video: Reporter Graham Stothard checks out the Pub Landlord for size

"But I’m part of a new breed of politician, one who guarantees to give the electorate exactly what they want, no matter how dangerous or stupid it is."

The comedian is standing for the FUKP (Free United Kingdom Party) in the closely fought constituency, battling Ukip leader Nigel Farage, Labour's Will Scobie, Conservative Craig Mackinlay, Russ Timpson of the Liberal Democrats and Green Party candidate Ian Driver.

The Pub Landlord said he will tell the people of South Thanet: “I don’t know I haven’t thought of it yet, do these politicians really tell everyone everything before they get there... why would anyone bother going to anything?

"I don’t understand... but probably something about South Thanet and an Economic Plan blah blah blah blah meaningful recovery.”