Nigel Farage: I am receiving hospital treatment

Nigel Farage has revealed he is receiving hospital treatment after admitting he is in a "a lot of pain" at the start of the general election campaign.

The Ukip leader said that he is seeing doctors twice a week and has been prescribed strong sleeping pills and muscle relaxants to deal with a flare-up of pain from an old spinal injury.

Addressing speculation about his health, Mr Farage told the Daily Telegraph: "I was not unwell, I have not had heart palpitations, but I was getting increasingly terrible pain in my shoulder, my back, and so I was suffering from neuralgic pain.

"I am taking a few tablets but it is something I have got to live with and I have got to pace myself. I think I am going to have medical treatment for the rest of my life."

But Mr Farage insisted he is "back to the old me" after the treatment, although he admitted he may need medical care for the rest of his life.