A UK Independence Party member featured in its latest election broadcast has been suspended for expressing "repellent" racist and anti-Islamic views on social media, the party said.

Andre Lampitt appeared in a builder's hard hat in the Ukip film shown to TV viewers complaining that "since the lads from Eastern Europe" had arrived in the UK and undercut him, he had found it a "real struggle" to provide for his family.

But after being made aware of posts he previously made on Twitter, officials acted swiftly against Mr Lampitt - who is seeking to become a local election candidate.

"We are deeply shocked that Mr Lampitt has expressed such repellent views," a spokesman said.

"His membership of the party has been suspended immediately pending a full disciplinary process."

A spokesman said they were aware of at least six posts expressing "various extreme racist views" including anti-Islamic sentiments.

Party leader Nigel Farage has been forced to defend the party's latest European elections poster campaign earlier - denying critics' claims that hard-hitting anti-immigration messages were racist.

Mr Farage has pledged to root out individuals guilty of "real extremism and nastiness" in the party - which is coming under intense scrutiny ahead of the May 22 elections where it is tipped to top the national poll.

He has been forced to deal with a string of embarrassments, such as a local councillor who blamed the extreme winter floods on the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

Mr Lampitt's Twitter account appeared to have been deleted.