A WORCESTERSHIRE MEP looking to be UKIP's next leader has spoken of his dreams of emulating Nigel Farage - despite ranking himself an outsider.

West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge is trying to win UKIP's battle to select its new boss, unveiling a manifesto based around cheaper beer, justice for dads and a referendum over the death penalty.

The 46-year-old told the Worcester News he intends to put the county on the map if elected - and carry on from Mr Farage over getting the best deal from Brexit.

"If I become next UKIP leader I'll be fighting hard for Worcestershire and the West Midlands region as a whole," he said.

"I'll be giving this region a voice, because I love this region.

"I am an outsider, but if you look at the odds with Betfair I'm 15 to one - there's a good six weeks to go in the campaign so I know I have time to win people over."

He also said he will reveal more policy proposals over the coming weeks to try and grab the attention of the party's membership.

"I've been unveiling a policy a day and it's creating a gradual interest," he said.

"I joined this party in the first place because of Nigel Farage, on the basis of UKIP being about economic liberalism, freedom, the ability to do what you want,, that's what we are.

"Nigel has moved to one side now and there's a gap for someone to pull things together and take it forward.

"I want a West Midlands voice at the top of UKIP."

We revealed last week how one of his policies was a referendum over reintroducing the death penalty, which led to criticism from two police and crime commissioners.

Another proposal includes changing Government law so the default court judgment when families break up is that both partners should be involved in parenting.

The MEP has also called for a drastic reduction in the price of a pint as one way of reinvigorating the British pub.

A new UKIP leader will be revealed on Thursday, September 15 after a two-week ballot of party members.

UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall has already ruled himself out.

Fellow UKIP MEPs Steven Woolfe and Jonathan Arnott are also standing, with nominations open until this Sunday.

UKIP's ruling National Executive Committee has said all candidates must have been a member for at least five years, excluding the likes of the party's only MP Douglas Carswell and suspended former spokeswoman Suzanne Evans.