HUNDREDS of people congregated in Colchester to welcome Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party to north Essex.

The Eurosceptic group launched its conference tour of the UK at Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium last night on Monday evening.

Divisive political figure Farage was joined on stage by other keynote speakers, including party chairman and eastern region MEP Richard Tice.

Gazette: The crowd inside the Jobserve Community StadiumThe crowd inside the Jobserve Community Stadium

Jonathan David Woods was also introduced to the party’s supporters as the parliamentary candidate for Colchester.

A counter protest, called Leave or Remain - Don’t let the racists divide us, was organised Colchester People’s Assembly and Stand Up to Racism Colchester.

Gazette: A group of protestors gathered outside the Brexit Party rallyA group of protestors gathered outside the Brexit Party rally

Protestors demonstrated outside the stadium before the conference started.

A full report on the conference will be published in Wednesday's Gazette.