Nigel Farage has announced he is stepping down as the leader of Ukip.

The South East MEP, who helped the UK Independence Party gain significant support across Bucks in recent years, leaves less than two weeks after the country voted to leave the EU.

Support for the outspoken politician and his party grew massively over the last decade, with Ukip claiming 30,651 votes in Buckinghamshire during last year’s general election.

The party finished in an unprecedented second place behind Conservative candidates in the Beaconsfield, Aylesbury and Chesham and Amersham constituencies and third in Wycombe.

From canvassing on the streets with Ukip colleagues to campaigning ferociously for Brexit, colleagues say Mr Farage was instrumental in their success.

And in 2010, Mr Farage stood against John Bercow in a bid to become the new MP for Buckingham.

He failed and on the day of the election was involved in a plane crash after taking to the sky with a Ukip banner.

After announcing his decision, he reportedly said he had “done my bit” following last month’s historic EU referendum.

Four Ukip councillors currently represent Buckinghamshire on the county council, while there is no Ukip representatives on the Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks district councils.