The UK Independence Party has revealed the slate of candidates who will compete to replace Nigel Farage at the top of the eurosceptic party.

Six names have made it onto the shortlist - but favourite Steven Woolfe has been excluded from the race.

The migration spokesman was seen as the preferred heir of Mr Farage, but was 17 minutes late submitting his nomination papers.

Supporters claimed he had been the victim of a coup led by Ukip's only MP, Douglas Carswell, and Neil Hamilton, group leader in the Welsh Assembly.

The ruling National Executive Committee voted to block his candidacy by a 'clear majority', a spokesman said.

MEPs Bill Etheridge, Diane James and Jonathan Arnott along with Elizabeth Jones, Councillor Lisa Duffy and Phillip Broughton will all be on the ballot paper.

A Ukip spokesman said: 'By a clear majority of NEC members, Steven Woolfe MEP's application was considered to be ineligible as a result of a late submission and as such he did not meet the eligibility criteria. His membership of the party was not in question.'