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A Nazi-themed troupe of dancers and a 16-tonne Second World War tank gatecrashed the start of Ukip's spring party conference today.

Performers in hot pants, jackboots and Nazi insignia goose-stepped and high-kicked to the Springtime For Hitler tune as delegates arrived.

The dancers, from Mel Brooks's musical The Producers, caused the scene outside Ukip's conference venue - the Winter Gardens in Margate, Kent.

The seven-strong troupe of female dancers performed a choreographed routine as Springtime For Hitler blared from a PA system on the tank turret.

Members of the anti-European Union party were left open-mouthed as the song blared from a PA system on the tank's turret.

It emerged that the cast were in Margate to promote the new touring production of Brooks's acclaimed musical comedy, starring Ross Noble, Jason Manford, Phill Jupitus and Louie Spence.

Adam Spiegel, producer of The Producers, said: "We open the UK tour of The Producers in Bromley next week and Margate seemed a perfect place to start the promotion.

"I'm disappointed but not entirely surprised to see that UKIP are trying to hitch a publicity ride on the back of the show."

Ukip has reportedly requested police bodyguards for Mr Farage amid concerns he is being targeted by left-wing protesters and there is speculation that demonstrations could be mounted at the Winter Gardens.

Yesterday Mr Farage suffered the embarrassment of delivering a speech to hundreds of empty seats after flying to America for a high-profile Republican Party event.

Just 40 minutes before the Euro MP stepped on to the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), more than 1,400 delegates had provided a rock concert-like atmosphere as Governors Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal delivered rousing right-wing speeches.

But as Farage took to the platform at the Gaylord Conference Centre in Maryland he was greeted by more than a thousand empty seats as America’s Republicans choose to enjoy the canapés rather than stomach the Ukip leader’s speech.

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