Newark by-election: UKIP leader Farage has a pint in Newark before count - but is it a glass half full or half empty for UKIP?

UKIP leader Nigel Farage faced a barrage of flashguns as he drank a pint in a Newark pub after arriving in town with hours to go before polling closed in today's by-election.

Mr Farage was with UKIP supporters and the party's candidate Roger Helmer in the Queen's Head. He left his pint unfinished before heading, press pack in tow, to the party's campaign headquarters on Bridge Street.

Mr Farage will be attending tonight's count at Kelham Hall.

"I never make predictions on elections," he said.

"What's really interesting is that everyone said it's just a protest vote and won't be there for other forms of election and actually there's no sign of that."

Mr Farage said if UKIP did well the party would be back in force for next year's General Election.