Yesterday I was invited to cover an event where the leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, was due to speak to supporters at a hotel in Cumbria.

It was his only appearance in the county and I thought it would make for some interesting photos and when I arrived the organisers were pleased to see me.

I managed to grab a quick interview with him ahead of his speech, because he had to leave at 8.30pm, but he would not confirm whether or not Nigel Farage would be standing as a candidate for the party in the looming general election – you heard it here first but he was predicting May 2 as the date.

And it was good to catch up with my former colleague, and fellow blogger, Ellis Butcher who had also decided to cover the event. He makes a cameo appearance in this gallery as does the candidate for the Penrith and Solway constituency Matthew Moody.

I wrote it up this morning and so far, as far as I am aware, it has been used by both the News & Star in Carlisle and the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald so far.