ESSEX is embracing Ukip according to leader Nigel Farage - but he is keeping realistic.

His party is on the crest of a political wave but he knows Rome wasn't built in a day.

His party has not set its sights on the next General Election in 2015 - but he is quietly optimistic about its prospects in the forthcoming district and European elections.

Mr Farage was at the Weston Homes stadium in Colchester to speak at the Eastern Region UKIP rally.

It is fair to say he is getting his feet under the Essex table.

Having never held a seat on the county council, the party took nine in the May elections.

Mr Farage, who is an MEP, said Essex and UKIP were alike in many ways but he resisted the temptation to predict the party's fortunes in the next General Election.

“I am not trying to dodge the question but I just think it would be a better question this time next year.

"We have European elections and district council elections in May.

“I am predicting a a really big result in Europe winning a lot more seats. We need this at European and local Government level. It is not about being pessimistic but about being realistic.

“The Liberals went from being a party with few seats in Parliament to having 50 or 60. They didn’t do this through policies they did this by acquiring seats at district and unitary level.”

See Wednesday's Gazette for the full interview