This time next week, residents will be heading out to vote in the Kent County Council elections.

Polls have predicted Reform UK could take a large number of seats - and might even become the biggest party.

Nigel Farage has already visited the county on the campaign trail and is set to return today.

But not everyone is happy about the prospect of his party potentially reshaping the local political landscape on May 1.

In the past few weeks, two candidates in Kent have been targeted by vandals.

Shopkeeper John Baker is standing for Reform UK in Folkestone West and has filled the windows of his County Hardware store in Cheriton with promotional material.

But over the Easter weekend, it was covered in swastikas.

“I am angry,” the 60-year-old said. “I am not an Nazi. That is all they can say – that you’re a Nazi, fascist and racist.

“I am certainly not a racist. I am married to a daughter of Windrush immigrants.”

CCTV shows two masked and hooded vandals targeting the shop at 10.30pm on Sunday.

“People are scared I might be elected as I am very well known locally,” Mr Baker added.

“The local community can decide if they want me in Folkestone or not, not some Nazi sticker. It is implying I am a Nazi. I find it offensive.”

The stickers are a take on the Tidyman Symbol – common on food and drink packaging – with the litter replaced with a swastika.

“Keep rubbish out of Folkestone,” it reads.

Mr Baker added: “I 100% believe in free speech and if you have a problem with a political party, you go to the ballot box.

“You don’t start throwing disgusting comments at the opposition.

“They try to scare you not to stand. Some people don’t want to say they vote Reform as they don’t want to be branded a racist.”

A police spokesman says local officers in Folkestone have been made aware of stickers placed onto a shop in Cheriton Road.

“Inquiries will be carried out to determine whether any criminal offences have been committed,” he said.

Another Reform UK candidate, Dean Burns, says his campaign material - displayed by supporters in the Ashford East division - has been targeted by balaclava-clad yobs.

“It started more than six weeks ago,” the 50-year-old tree surgeon said.

“The first time, a supporter wanted me to put a campaign board and a couple of posters on her fence.

“But they started being ripped down and writing ‘F*** Reform’, ‘F*** Farage’, ‘Vote Green’.

“I started replacing them but it was absolutely ridiculous.

“About two weeks ago, I put a wildlife camera in the tree so I have footage of people doing it.

“They were turning up wearing balaclavas and the wording became more derogatory.”

The grandfather-of-four has highlighted the incidents on Facebook – which he claims resulted in more people asking to put Reform UK boards up.

“In the footage, you can hear them on the phone and you can hear them telling what you write, so it is quite an organised gang,” Mr Burns added.

A party spokesman said: "Put plainly, these thugs that are targeting our candidates are a threat to democracy.

“We applaud Mr Baker and Mr Burns for sticking their heads above the parapet and standing up for their country in an election."

A police spokesman confirmed the force received reports of placards being damaged in Boys Hall Road and Hythe Road, Ashford between last Tuesday and this Monday.

“Inquiries are being carried out to determine whether any criminal offences have been committed,” he said.

It’s clear some people want to hamper Reform UK’s campaign in the KCC’s elections. But how well could the party realistically do?

Pollster Electoral Calculus recently predicted Reform UK could secure 41 out of the 81 seats up for grabs next Thursday - enough to form a ruling administration.

It forecasted the Conservatives dropping from 57 councillors at County Hall to just 25. Labour would take three, the Lib Dems nine, the Greens two and “others” one.

But councillors from rival parties are sceptical.

Tory veteran Andrew Kennedy, who represents Malling North East, previously said: “I don’t believe the results of the polling, partly because it is out of date and partly because it is at odds with our own data.

“That suggests more than 50% of potential Reform UK voters are uncommitted…and are seriously considering coming back to us.”

Even Mr Farage has appeared unsure whether a majority can be achieved.

On a recent visit to the county, he said: “We’re going to do very well but how many seats we’re going to win… it’s so tough to call because it is such a split race.”

The Reform UK leader is set to hold a press conference in Kent this morning. It remains to be seen if he is now feeling more bullish.