North West MEP Paul Nuttall has announced he is to stand for the leadership of Ukip.

Mr Nuttall, 39. made his intention clear this morning on BBC 1's Sunday Politics show with commentator Andrew Neil.

Ukip colleague Suzanne Evans had earlier appeared on the Andrew Marr Show and alsosaid she is to stand as leader.

The battle for the helm of the party has been much publicised during recent weeks after the resignation of Nigel Farage and the subsequent decision by replacement leader Diane James to quit after just 18 days.

Another former leadership candidate, Steven Woolfe, a fellow North West England MEP, resigned from the party on Monday.

Mr Nuttall, MEP for the region for seven years, told the Globe: "Having spent six years as deputy leader and previously been chairman, I believe I am best suited to take the helm of the party when Nigel Farage, who has done a sterling job as captain, finally does get the chance to get his life back.

"I stand first and foremost as a unifying candidate, demanding an end to the infighting and squabbling which performs just one purpose, that of delighting our rivals.

"I believe Ukip can simply be much bigger and better than this – but we have to work together as a united team to do so.

"And I promise this - from day one under my leadership, there is a clean slate for Ukip MEPs, domestic politicians and members. It will in effect be Day Zero. We will pull together to fight forwards, not backwards.

"Because no matter who tries to falsely take the credit, few can argue that the historic June 23 vote to leave the European Union would simply never have happened without us.

"However, although more than 17 million British citizens voted to leave the EU, only one in four of them voted for Ukip at last year’s general election."

The new Ukip leader will be announced on November 28, with nominations to replace Ms James closing on October 31.