From Essex to Grimsby for Joey...and Nigel

The Ukip leader is a “reem” guy, according to TV personality Joey Essex, who joined Mr Farage on a trip to see the state of the fishing industry in Grimsby.

Mr Farage described the reality TV star as an “icon of youth” who could help inform youngsters’ opinions on politics saying he hoped the politics documentary being made by the presenter would increase turnout among younger people from 2010, when only half of 18-24-year-olds voted.

After meeting Essex at Grimsby docks, Mr Farage said: ““Over half the young people in Britain don’t vote at all. If some of the icons of youth like Joey here can actually look at this, spend a bit of time, understand this, and inform an opinion, perhaps you’ll get more young people voting.”

The Towie star described Mr Farage as a “nice guy”, descriptions he has also given to Labour leader Ed Miliband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

Essex - who also described Mr Farage as “reem”, one of the show’s catchphrases - said: “I’m filming a TV show for ITV2 at the moment and it’s all about politics so I’m trying to learn my way into politics and why people should vote and how to vote and who to vote for.

“That’s the journey of it, really.

“I’ve met Nigel today and we’re just talking about Ukip and just learning more about Nigel, really.

“(He’s a) nice guy, nice guy.

“I’ve met everyone, not everyone because I’ve not met Cameron, but I’ve met Nick Clegg, I’ve met Ed Miliband, I’ve met Nigel, and everyone seems so nice, so it’s good.”

Meanwhile comedian and budding MP Al Murray turned up to hand in his general election nomination papers - in a fire engine converted into a pub.

Murray, in his guise as the Pub Landlord, pulled frothy pints from beer taps on the side of the old fire engine outside Thanet District Council’s offices in Margate, Kent.

The 46-year-old comic posed for pictures beside the former emergency vehicle, which was emblazoned with the slogan Vote Guv For Guv’norment.

Murray then went inside to hand over papers so he can stand for his Free United Kingdom Party (FUKP) against Ukip leader Nigel Farage in South Thanet.

Afterwards, Murray said: “This is the most important general election since the last one. There is a state of national emergency. I wanted to emphasise that with a fire engine - a fire engine that pours beer.”

A crowd of locals gathered to watch the spectacle, including 80-year-old retired seafarer Malcolm Llewellyn, who was amused by Murray’s presence.

He said: “This is a bit of light-heartedness. It’s the same old people trying to outdo one another and making promises that hardly ever get kept.”

Oxford-educated Murray has launched an action plan under the guise of his patriotic character in his bid to reach Parliament.