A LEADING election forecaster has predicted a UKIP win in Clacton at the forthcoming General Election, saying the seat is “pretty much in the bag”.

Politics professor Matthew Goodwin, of Nottingham University, said Clacton was one of four seats the party had already won – more than a month before the UK goes to the polls.

He said there would have to be a “monumental mistake and a car crash before May 7” for the party not to take Clacton, along with South Thanet in Kent, where party leader Nigel Farage is standing, as well as Rochester and Strood, which the party already holds, and Thurrock.

Prof Goodwin said: “My view is that UKIP is likely to win six Parliamentary constituencies. They have pretty much got three or four seats now in the bag unless there is a monumental mistake and a car crash before May 7.”

Prof Goodwin set out six other seats he believed UKIP could win – Castle Point, Boston and Skegness, Great Grimsby, Thanet North, Great Yarmouth and Cannock Chase.