A HARTLAND farmer will be battling in the general election as the candidate for UKIP.

Robin Julian, 55, is the UK Independent Party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Torridge and West Devon.

The father-of-four moved from West Sussex to Hartland eight years ago to carry on his lifetime trade of farming.

He lives with his wife of 30 years, Debbie and said he is very passionate about saving our communities by keeping pubs, post offices, garages and community hospitals open.

Mr Julian would like to see more emphasis on relying on local produce and for more people to be encouraged into the farming industry.

He also said his party holds strong environmental policies and he would like to see biofarms, instead of wind turbines, built across the area, based on the German model.

He said he would like to see pensioners take home at least £130 per week and not have to pay any tax on private pensions.

He also wants no tax paid on earnings of up to £11,000 and tax incentives to help employers with National Insurance contributions.

His party believes all these measures could be paid for by the country leaving Europe.

He said: "At this time being in Europe is costing this country £230 billion a year.

"We need to get ourselves back together as a country and with UKIP's measures within five years the country will be heading to a surplus.

"UKIP came second in the EU elections and support is growing so I believe I stand a good chance of being elected."