THE chairman of the UK Independence Party has visited the borough to meet members of the Dudley and Halesowen branch.

Steve Crowther, met with some of the newest members of the organisation at an event at the Dudley Arms pub yesterday (Thursday).

Bill Etheridge, branch chairman, said: " Steve`s visit confirms that the Black Country is a key area for UKIP. We will be campaigning hard in this area and given extra support from the national party in order to break the stranglehold of Tories and Labour in this area and give the people some real, honest representation"