EURO-sceptic political party UKIP have announced the arrival of a high-profile new recruit from Wollaston to swell their ranks.

After his defeat as an independent candidate in the recent elections for Police and Crime Commissioner, former cop Mike Rumble joined UKIP and at the Dudley and Halesowen group's AGM on January 9, he was fast-tracked into an important job.

Mr Rumble, from Ridgewood Avenue, was unanimously elected as recruitment officer for the group by UKIP members at the meeting, at The Courthouse pub in Dudley.

Dudley and Halesowen UKIP chairman, Bill Etheridge, who stood against Mr Rumble in the PCC elections, said: "I formed a very healthy respect for Mike during the course of the PCC campaign.

"His mixture of common sense and civic spirit impressed me from our first meeting. I am truly delighted to have a gentleman of Mike`s calibre joining our team in the West Midlands and believe this is a sign of UKIP going from strength to strength in the new year."