MORE THAN 200 people were packed in at The Annexe in Lydney to listen to UKIP leader Nigel Farage last week.

Mr Farage was in the Forest to support the party's eight local candidates standing in the elections for Gloucestershire County Council on May 2.

Alan Preest, UKIP representative for Lydney, said: "We are delighted to welcome Nigel in Lydney.

"I think the public are starting to listen to our party more as they have been let down by the three main parties and can see that we offer common sense policies."

Mr Farage was heckled by a protester who asked where UKIP stood on the privatisation of the Forestry and selling off the Forest.

The MEP replied: "Back in the 1980's privatisation was a good idea. I think we should use private enterprise if it cuts costs. However I don't support privatising the Forest and our manifesto supports that we wouldn't sell off the Forest."

He also said he wanted to encourage people back into work.

"We live in a society where people on benefits are better off than those who work.

"I would look to help those who are earning the minimum wage by not taxing them – in that case it wouldn't only encourage millions of people to get back into work but low earners would find that they are better off in the long run."

He also claimed UKIP is not anti Europe – joking that he couldn't be as he has a German wife.

"There is this common misinterpretation that UKIP are anti-Europe. We aren't.

"We are simply against the European Union who sit in Brussels telling us in the UK what we can and can't do."

He added: " We have some fantastic representatives in the Forest who know the community needs very well and, more importantly, listens to them and this has shown through the strong seats we have gained.

"I think it's good to have opposition and address the issues that people have. The Forest in general has some very interesting people."