More people have joined the Labour Party since Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader than the total membership of Ukip, party figures suggest.

The latest numbers released by Labour show that more than 50,000 people have joined it in the week since Saturday 12 September.

This compares to 47,000 people who are members of UKIP, according to figures last released in May.

The number is also around the 62,000 people who are members of the Liberal Democrats and the 67,000 membership of the Green Party.

More than 15,000 people joined the party in the 24 hours directly after Mr Corbyn’s victory. Total party membership, which is still rising fast, is now around 360,000.

The figure is approaching the 400,000 figure recorded at the 1997 election – though the party previously had as many as a million members in the 1950s.

More than 100,000 people paid £3 to register as party supporters during the leadership election, many to vote for Mr Corbyn.

After his victory party officials had hoped that many would sign up as full members.

“I hope they can come with us on the journey to the election in 2020,” newly elected Deputy Leader Tom Watson told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show.

“Let's get these new members involved in campaigning, helping relay our roots in communities, being involved in a digital revolution in the party that allows members to feel that they're more included in the decisions we make.”

Mr Corbyn was elected as Labour leader by a landslide of nearly 60 per cent of members, supporters, and affiliates.

During the Labour leadership campaign Mr Corbyn spoke to packed halls of supporters.