POLITICAL pirate Nigel Farage took to the waves in Harwich as the Brexit Bus Tour descended on the maritime town.

The UKIP leader made a whistle-stop tour of Harwich Quay as part of the party's leave campaign on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking from the battle bus, Mr Farage told a crowd of supporters that the European Union’s fishing policies had affected the town.

He said: “What better place can we be to highlight what is wrong with this country than a once great fishing port?

“We have given away our waters. We have even given away our passports.

“We want our fishing waters back. We want our passports back. We want our borders back.”

Mr Farage spoke to Clacton fisherman Terry Stimpson, who has campaigned against the EU quota system, before sampling whelks at Pier Seafoods on Ha’penny Pier.

He then conducted interviews with TV crews from across the world, including American news channel CNBC, as well as Spanish, French and Japanese television stations.

Mr Farage visited the LV18 Light Vessel, which features in the 2008 film The Boat That Rocked about pirate DJs in the 1960s.

Mr Farage admitted to the Standard that “in some ways” he is a political pirate - and said Harwich had much to gain by voting to leave the EU on Thursday.

“Look what has happened to the fishing industry – it’s been devastated,” he said.

“There are just three fishing boats here - that is caused by the Common Fisheries Policy.

“We are talking about leaving a political union of Europe.

He added: “Harwich can do better than just being the gateway to Europe. It can trade with the world.

“Harwich is a nice example of the whole argument.”

A handful of protesters heckled Mr Farage as he made his way to meet supporters at the Vote Leave/Grassroots Out campaign shop in King’s Quay Street.

Harwich councillor and former MP Ivan Henderson said: “He’s campaigning in an area and on a quay that is seen as the gateway to Europe.

“One of our major employers, Hutchison Ports, is urging us to remain.

“They have made it clear that they believe the best thing for their business – and for our town – is for the country is to vote to remain in the European Union.”