THE leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) is backing the North-East to make history by providing its first MP.

Roger Knapman is confident that Euro-sceptics in the region will turn to his party when they become disillusioned with the policies of New Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Knapman, a former Tory minister who served under Margaret Thatcher, told a party gathering in Hartlepool at the weekend: "Thirty per cent of you voted UKIP in the local elections and I have money on you to have the first UKIP Member of Parliament."

Mr Knapman believes that next year the party will add to the 30 councillors already serving in town halls across the country.

"We are going to make such a show that the three traditional parties are going to take notice," he told the gathering of more than 50 people on Friday night.

Among the audience was John Pearson, the Northumberland farmer who will stand in next year's Euro Parliament elections, and fellow candidate Charlotte Bull, from Darlington.

The meeting was also addressed by former Hartlepool Mail editor Harry Blackwood and Frank Malloney, the former manager of world champion heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis.

Mr Malloney will stand as the UK Independence Party candidate in London's mayoral election next year.

After the two-hour meeting, Mr Knapman said: "We have done our polling and the two most Euro-sceptic regions by far are the North-East and South- West of England.

"In the South-West, we are growing very fast and in patches of the North-East we are seeing similar growth, not least in Hartlepool.

"The party has been working hard in parts of the North-East for two years and support has gone up significantly.

"If that continues and with one more push, next year we will have councillors in this area.

"I am quite confident we will have MEPs in this region very shortly, and after that an MP."