LABOUR leader Ed Miliband is set to visit Thurrock on Tuesday, five days after his party lost overall control of the borough’s council.

Mr Miliband is returning to the campaign trail after what was widely regarded as a disappointing election.

Thurrock is Labour’s number two target seat - and one, by their own admission, they have to win if they are to have any chance of returning to Government in 2015.

Thurrock had been hailed by Mr Miliband when the party took power there last year as evidence that the Opposition was "winning back trust, gaining ground".

But last week, the party lost Belhus and Stifford Clays - two seats on Thurrock Council often referred to as Labour heartland - to a resurgent Ukip who comfortably topped both the local and European election polls in Thurrock.

Despite winning more than 300 extra seats in the elections, Labour failed to make the sort of advance in some key areas seen as vital to securing an overall majority in the Commons next year.

Ahead of the visit, Mr Miliband said: “There is a deep sense of discontent with the way our country is run. I am determined to show people, including those who voted for Ukip, that we can change our country so they can build a better life for themselves and their family.”