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Veteran Tory councillor Peter Rodberg has quit his party and joined UKIP - the United Kingdom Independence Party.

His resignation from the Medway Conservative Association comes less than a week after former Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless switched to the anti-Europe party.

Veteran Tory councillor Peter Rodberg who has defected to UKIP

Mr Rodberg, a long-serving Medway councillor representing the Hoo Peninsula , made his announcement on party leader Nigel Farage's second visit to Medway on Friday.

His decision was promptedby the ruling Conservative council's decision to build 5,000 homes on former Army land at Lodge Hill, Chattenden - an area named as a site of special scientific interest.

Mr Rodberg has been joined by Cuxton parish councillor Paul Monck, a Conservative candidate in next year's Medway Council election for the Strood North ward.

Cuxton parish councillor Paul Monck has also left the Tories for UKIP

Mr Monck said:"I had a couple of conversations with Mark Reckless and liked what he had to say.

"I have not been happy with the way the Medway Conservative Association has been run.

"When you are trying to canvass and people raise issues like Lodge Hill, it is difficult to answer why it has been approved."

Parliamentary candidate for Rochester and Strood Mark Reckless with Ukip leader Nigel Farage

Former Tory MP, Mr Reckless, said: "I was delighted to introduce Cllr Rodberg to Nigel Farage on our visit to Strood.

"It's great news he has come over to UKIP to stand up for his residents and help fight Lodge Hill."

Read our political editor Paul Francis's take on the Rochester and Strood byelection by clicking here.