NIGEL Farage dramatically quit as UKIP leader today - with senior party figures in Worcestershire paying tribute.

After the sensational Brexit, Mr Farage stunned his party by announcing he was resigning on the grounds his "political ambition has been achieved".

Senior UKIP figures around the county said he would be a hard act to replace.

Worcester-based UKIP MEP James Carver said: "What he's achieved is great, he's achieved what he set out to do.

"There can be little doubt that Nigel's impact on recent British and European politics has been immense, and as such, in political terms what he has achieved will be the envy of many of his political opponents.  

"I first stood on a public platform with Nigel Farage in November 1996, I've worked with him for over 20 years and he's got something other politicians haven't.

"He has that ability to reach out, but Nigel isn't going away, he will still be in the European Parliament - don't think he's backing away from Brexit.

"He'll be with us getting the job done at the forefront in Brussels, this is about handing over to a fresh leader domestically for the next chapter."

James Goad, who stood for UKIP in Worcester at last year's general election, called him "inspirational".

"I'm surprised because I did think he'd hang in there to pressure the parties to get the best deal from Brexit," he said.

"The timing seems slightly odd, but I can also see why he's done it now - he's achieved the principal aim and he's seeing out his term in the European Parliament.

"Nigel is incredibly intense and charismatic, he exudes energy.

"He's a magnetic character, the delivery of his speeches are the best I've ever seen in British politics.

"There won't be another like him, he's one of a kind."

West Midlands UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge said his emotions were one of "overwhelming pride and gratitude to have worked with him".

Worcester-based Peter Jewell, the party's deputy treasurer, is Mr Farage's right-hand man in the county.

"I haven't yet seen the context but I know about it, I think he feels the major job is done and he now needs to pass it on to other people," he said.

"He's been at it for a very long time and needs a break, to be frank.

"Nigel has been very good to work with, he knows his own mind."

During a speech in London, Mr Farage said he felt UKIP was "in a pretty good place", and that years of campaigning to quit the EU had taken its toll on him.

"My aim in politics was to get Britain out the European Union," he said.

"That is what we voted for in that referendum two weeks ago, and that's why I now feel I've done my bit, that I couldn't possibly achieve more.

"So I feel it's right that I should now stand aside as leader of UKIP.

"During the referendum campaign I said I want my country back, what I'm saying today is: 'I want my life back'.

"I want my life back, and it begins right now."

He also told reporters he planned to see out his term in the European Parliament - jokingly describing his party as "the turkeys that voted for Christmas".

Mr Farage also said UKIP's "greatest potential" lay in attracting Labour voters, as the referendum highlighted.

He has been leader of UKIP for most of the past eight years, standing down briefly in 2009 and being re-elected the following year.

He said he would quit after failing to win his seat at last year's general election, but stayed on after the party rejected his resignation.