The pair give UKIP a base in local politics

Cary Phipps, of Gloucestershire County Council, moved from the Tories, and Chris Lees of South Gloucestershire Council, from the Lib Dems.

Mr Phipps serves Severn Dean and said he switched because of what he describes as the encroachment of EU powers into local authority business.

Mr Lees serves Bradley Stoke. The pair give both councils their first UKIP representatives.

"I will fight for local council to have greater control over its own finances and we are against regionalisation," he told the BBC.

It is unfortunate that no one voted for them as part of the UKIP party Petrina Holdsworth UKIP chairman

Mr Lees added: "It is about giving power back to local people.

"When I was elected there was a 30% turnout - 70% of people are disaffected. I want to give disenfranchised people the opportunity to get back into local politics."

Power at Gloucestershire County Council lies with a Labour / Lib Dem coalition.

Although the Conservatives are the largest party with 26 seats (after Mr Phipps defection), his decision will not affect the political balance.

Conservative councillors criticised the move, saying Mr Phipps has let his colleagues and voters down.

South Gloucestershire is a hung council, with all three main parties co-operating in a power share. Mr Lees is the first UKIP representative there.

Petrina Holdsworth, chairman, of UKIP rejected the suggestion the two councillors should resign and re-stand on a UKIP ticket: "MPs don't have to - they just see the light and go.