Actor Ross Kemp has hit the Thanet South campaign trail, hoping to bolster support for Labour as polling suggests the party is trailing well behind frontrunner UKIP for the Kent seat.

Eastern Daily Press: Will Scobie, Labour parliamentary candidate for South Thanet is joined by actor Ross Kemp during a General Election campaign in Broadstairs, Kent. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.Will Scobie, Labour parliamentary candidate for South Thanet is joined by actor Ross Kemp during a General Election campaign in Broadstairs, Kent. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.

The former EastEnders star, who played hardman Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap, turned out to promote Labour's Will Scobie ahead of next month's General Election.

Together they went on a walkabout down Broadstairs High Street, stopping to talk and pose for pictures with locals while pursued by cameramen and journalists.

Kemp, a long-time and active Labour supporter who has fronted party political broadcasts, said Mr Scobie is 'a local man who will champion local causes'.

Mr Scobie is involved in a three-way fight with UKIP leader Nigel Farage and the Conservatives' Craig Mackinlay to secure the Thanet South seat.

A survey by Survation for major UKIP donor Alan Bown found that Mr Farage has 39% of support in the constituency, well ahead of nearest rival Mr Mackinlay on 30%.

Meanwhile, Mr Scobie is just about keeping pace with the frontrunners, securing 26% of support. Liberal Democrat Russ Timpson is poised to lose his deposit on 2%.