The jury trying a former Tory MP accused of lying to voters in a bid to help UKIP colleagues stand in local elections retired to consider its verdicts today.

Dr Bob Spink, 69, is said to have taken a 'casual and misleading approach' while canvassing on doorsteps ahead of the polls last May.

Voters reported seeing 'a very large man', UKIP election agent James Parkin, 38, accompanying Spink as he collected signatures, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Spink was elected as the Conservative MP for Castle Point, near Basildon, Essex, between 1992 and 1997, winning the seat a second time in the 2001 election.

He became UKIP's first MP in April 2008 after defecting from the Conservatives but redesignated himself an independent later that year and losing the seat in 2010.

The politician lost out in the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner elections to Tory candidate Roger Hirst.

Parkin was also beaten in the race for Castle Point's Cedar Hall ward seat to Tory candidate Liz Wass.

Residents claimed to have signed forms 'without any proper understanding of what it was for, and certainly without any intention of nominating a UKIP candidate to stand for election'.

Questioned over allegations he obtained signatures on behalf of UKIP local council candidates by telling them they were endorsing his PCC run, Spink said he was only doing the party a favour.

'I was just asked while I was going around 'Would you pick up signatures for the local council candidates?' and I said 'Yes, I would',' he added.

Spink, of Downer Road, Benfeet, Essex, denies five counts of causing or permitting a false signature to be included in a nomination form.

Parkin, of Castle View Road, Canvey, denies six like offences.