Chester's Steven Woolfe MEP has launched his second bid to realise his ambition to become leader of the UK Independence Party.

Mr Woolfe, who lives near the city centre with his wife Fiona and young daughter, was ruled out of the previous contest after missing the nominations deadline.

But they say a week is a long time in politics and the eventual winner, Diane James, has unexpectedly quit the job after just 18 days at the helm.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage has agreed to stay in post until a fresh election is held to find Ms James’ successor.

Mr Woolfe, who is already being touted as the early favourite, was 'disappointed' when UKIP's National Executive Committee ruled him 'ineligible' to stand last time even though he argued he only missed the nomination deadline because of computer problems.

Launching his fresh leadership bid, the Euro MP told Sky News today (Wednesday, October 5): "I tried to stand before and as Diane has faced, we have a National Executive Committee that makes it incredibly difficult for the elected politicians to be able to do their jobs.

"But I will tell you this; based on the numbers of emails and telephone calls from members that have asked me to stand again and represent this great party, I have taken that into consideration, I have discussed it with my family and yes I will, I will do it once again."

Mr Woolfe, who celebrates his 49th birthday tomorrow (Thursday), knows the UKIP agenda has to move on given the party’s main focus had been to achieve a Brexit from the European Union. His big push is on promoting social mobility for those 'left behind', with a clear intention to capture disillusioned Labour voters.

He continued: "I will take on the challenges that Nigel has faced, those within the party that seem to be doing us harm, but also looking forward very clearly to the 17.5m people that voted for Brexit, the 4m that voted for UKIP and say that there is a party that is going to consider the issues of social mobility and we are going to challenge in the northern areas, where I was born, where I grew up, and say there is a party that's been listening to you for a long time and we are now going to make sure the policies work for you too."

Elected in 2014, Mr Woolfe – one of three UKIP Euro MPs representing the North West – acts as party spokesman on migration and financial affairs with regular appearances on Newsnight and Question Time.

As an interesting aside, Mr Woolfe has talents in other areas having played semi-professional football in his youth and has a half brother in footballer Nathan Woolfe who is on the books at Connah’s Quay Nomads having previously played for Bolton Wanderers and Wrexham. And he reached the height of cool when he was crowned Manchester’s first break dance champion in 1984 at the age of 17.

But his previous leadership bid was beset by difficulties.

Aside from missing the nominations deadline, allegations surfaced his membership of the party had lapsed for a period but this was flatly denied.

And it emerged he had not declared a spent drink driving conviction when seeking election as Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner, a potential breach of electoral law, although no action was taken.