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A UKIP candidate has told how he beamed a giant logo of the party on to one of Wales’ most popular tourist attractions after being snubbed by the Welsh Government’s historic monuments body Cadw.

Sam Gould, who is Ukip’s candidate for Caerphilly in May’s general election, illuminated the town’s castle when Cadw blocked him from its Twitter feed.

The stunt got the attention of Ukip Leader Nigel Farage who tweeted about it on Tuesday morning.

An event promoter and businessman, Mr Gould arranged for the Ukip logo to be projected all over the castle in what onlookers said was a “Disney World” style display.

He said he had embarked on the action to draw attention to what he called the “blatant politicising of our supposedly non-political public bodies”.

Gould claims he was repeatedly snubbed

Mr Gould claimed he was repeatedly snubbed by Cadw after he sought to promote Caerphilly Castle from the @UKIPCaerphilly Twitter account.

He said Cadw blocked @UKIPCaerphilly as a follower of its Twitter account, despite allowing well-known Labour AMs like Huw Lewis and Ken Skates to remain followers and Cadw actively supporting and following them back.

It's not the first time Mr Gould has made the news for a slightly off-beat reason, last month he was photographed being rescue from a rising tide at Ukip's spring conference.

Gallery: Sam Gould pulled to safety from beach

Mr Gould said: “Caerphilly Castle is the most magnificent of our ancient monuments and an attraction I support wholeheartedly. Cadw’s recent actions are immature and ill-conceived.

“All I was interested in doing was promoting the castle as a fabulous visitor attraction.

“I tweeted that it was open for visitors free of charge on St David’s Day, for example. It wasn’t a question of making a political statement or trying to get political advantage.

'This made a point'

“After our most recent branch meeting in Caerphilly, we decided to project the Ukip image on to the castle.

“It was about 9pm in the evening and easily done. Doing this made a point and I don’t rule out doing it again.

“By blocking our account Cadw has highlighted a major issue in Wales, which is the blatant politicisation of our public bodies.

Related: Ukip leader Nigel Farage says he is serious about Wales

“If elected by the people of Wales Ukip would look to pass legislation in the National Assembly which would ensure all senior appointments within the public sector were made on merit alone.”

A spokesman for Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “The walls and fortifications of Caerphilly Castle have seen some interesting action over the years.

“Most notably, in 1270, the early fortress was burned down by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Ukip’s stunt didn’t quite have the same impact and we won’t be losing any sleep over it.”