SEDGLEY councillor Bill Etheridge has suspended his campaign to become UKIP's next leader in a bid to unite the party.

He said the leadership race had "more runners than the Grand National" and said the libertarian-minded candidates should "come together" to take on far-right candidates Anne Marie Waters and Peter Whittle.

The West Midlands MEP has offered to act as a broker for the candidates that share the party's "traditional values" to select one or two candidates capable of success.

During a press conference held at Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium this morning (Wednesday), he said: "I am backing down from this race to take leadership of the situation.

"It's not because I don't think I've got a chance, it's because someone has got to make a move.

"This is bigger than egos. This is bigger than individuals. This is about the future of Brexit."

Jane Collins, David Coburn and John Rees-Evans are some of the contenders that cllr Etheridge believes are "up to the job, " albeit not on their own.

He continued: "We have to have a strong leader but someone with support around them."

Cllr Etheridge said members would be taking a "leap of faith", whoever they voted for but said any of the "like-minded" candidates would bring "fresh energy", adding: "It's quite exciting."

But he warned: "This is the last election. If we screw up again, there's going to be no one left to vote. This is it - either the end or the beginning.

"This is the best thing I could do to try and pull the party together. I'll sit in the middle and chair a meeting but it's up to them now but I've made the offer and done my part."

The 47-year-old, who finished third in November's leadership election, has also called on former leader Nigel Farage to share his views on the party's future.

"Members need to know what Nigel thinks," he said.

"Who would he like to be leader? We need to hear his voice."

He also announced that he would quit the purple party, if either Ms Waters or Mr Whittle were elected.

"If either of them become leader, I don't think the party will represent what I believe the party is about."

Councillor Paul Brothwood, leader of Dudley's UKIP group, said he was disappointed with the cllr Etheridge's announcement as he wanted to see him lead the party but said he would follow suit and resign should Ms Waters or Mr Whittle win, adding: "I despise their politics, it doesn't sit well with me."