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UKIP has been forced to slash ticket prices for its annual conference because so few people are turning up.

A pass for the Doncaster gathering cost £50 last year.

But officials organising this year’s three-day get-together, which opened yesterday, are offering two tickets for £80 plus a £10 merchandise voucher.

Entry to Friday’s session, when Nigel Farage gives his keynote speech, has been cut to just £20 for adults.

The move is a desperate bid to avoid embarrassing images of the party boss speaking to an empty hall.

Twelve months ago UKIP was riding on the crest of wave after victory in May’s European Parliament polls and the high-profile defection of Tory MP Douglas Carswell.

(Image: PA)

Last year’s conference saw MP Mark Reckless switch from the Conservatives and welcomed to Mr Farage’s bosom.

The two Tory turncoats forced by-elections they both won, only for voters to boot Mr Reckless out at May’s general election when the Tories claimed a majority.

UKIP’s disastrous result, which halved the number of its MPs from two to one, triggered bloody internal fighting.

Mr Farage failed to win his target seat of South Thanet, quit as leader only to take up the reins again three days later.

(Image: REUTERS)

Chaos rippled through the party with high-profile members quitting as prominent spokesmen.

The farce has led to a slump in voters’ interest, despite UKIP gearing up for the In/Out referendum on Britain’s EU membership, due before the end of 2017.

A party spokesman admitted there had been “some concerns” over low numbers, sparking the cut-price ticket offer.

Mr Carswell told the Telegraph: “To be fair, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t some falling off in numbers – I don’t think we should be unduly alarmed about it. I’m pretty relaxed about it to be honest.”