THE UK Independence Party (Ukip) has announced that it will be fielding candidates in two Teesside towns at the forthcoming General Election.

The right-wing party said it would be contesting seats in Hartlepool and Stockton South.

The party is also fielding a candidate at the upcoming mayoral elections in Hartlepool.

George Springer, who lives in Hartlepool, will be the party's candidate for the General Election in the town.

In Stockton South, the seat will be contested by Sandra Allison, whose husband, Steve, is the party's candidate for Mayor of Hartlepool.

Ukip recently experienced a leadership struggle which resulted in the departure from the party of former television presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk.

The party embarrassed the Conservatives after pushing them into fourth place at the Hartlepool by-election in October last year.