BREXIT-backing Dudley MEP Bill Etheridge is hoping to be out of a job after today’s referendum.

The UKIP politician, who is also a councillor for Sedgley, said he will “throw a massive party” if voters decide to leave the EU.

Cllr Etheridge, who was elected to European Parliament in 2014, said: “Losing the job is something I would welcome, I’d be delighted.”

He has been reaching out to voters on the purple party’s 45 foot long EU 'Project Fact' coach tour, which started in Newport on July 16 and finished at Dudley’s Coronation Gardens yesterday (Wednesday).

“We’ve had a lot of positive responses from the people we have spoken to,” said Cllr Etheridge.

“We’ve been plugging away, talking to people and dispelling the mistruths and giving people the facts.”

He said he thought the result would be “incredibly close” and would be spending the rest of the day attempting to convince undecided voters to put their cross in the box to leave.

“At the moment the feeling is really great but we’re not taking anything for granted. There are a lot of people undecided still and we will be trying to persuade the last few.

“I’m excited, I can only talk about the Black Country area but I think we will vote resoundingly for leave, which makes me very proud.”

Councillor Paul Brothwood, leader of Dudley’s UKIP group, said he had been waiting for this day since 1999.

He continued: “The EU is an institution of the past for the past. Millions of people will vote leave today to restore sovereignty to UK.

“Today, by voting leave people can reject old ways of thinking that hinder freedom and damage economic prosperity.

“We must win this referendum not only to save ourselves but also to stop the EU financing animal cruelty and bring an end to high trade tariffs that create widespread poverty in Africa and beyond.

“Don't vote for you, vote for the next generation.”