CALLS are being made for UKIP to fund the cost of a by-election triggered by the farcical resignation of a former Worcestershire councillor embroiled in a race rant.

Politicians want the UK Independence Party to meet the bill for a new count following Eric Kitson’s departure after just 14 days in office.

The resignation of the 59-year-old, who has been investigated by police for filling his Facebook page with racist comments and images, means Worcestershire County Council must stage a by-election for his old Stourport seat.

The estimated cost could be as high as £16,000 once the bill for opening polling stations, paying staff and preparing the administrative work is all factored in.

The last by-election in Worcestershire took place in the Bowbrook division, back in November 2010, when Tory Coun Tony Miller entered County Hall.

That count cost £11, 580 and estimations put the likely bill for this one anywhere from £12,000 to £16,000.

Councillor Peter McDonald, leader of Worcestershire’s Labour group, said: “The whole thing is a complete shambles and UKIP should be paying for it.

“He was only in office for 14 days, it’s a total farce.

"The UK Independence Party should be doing the right thing and not leaving the county council to pay.”

Other leading figures in the county have also joined calls for the party to fund it, as Mr Kitson stood as a UKIP politician.

Councillor Fran Oborski, a Liberal, said: “When you add in all the costs for staging a by-election, we are talking a considerable amount of money.

“It’s right that UKIP should pay but we know they won’t - they should also do the decent thing and not stand a candidate following the Eric Kitson farce.

“The public deserve better than what’s happened.”

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier added: “This is an expensive and unwelcome by-election thanks to UKIP.”

West Mercia Police say the probe is ongoing into Mr Kitson’s anti-Muslim, anti-Jewish rants on his now-deleted Facebook page.

He has been voluntarily interviewed by officers, and after his home was searched a computer has been seized.

The Crown Prosection Service has been sent a file and will be tasked with making the final decision.

UKIP’s London office said it would not be putting anything towards the by-election cost, and say Mr Kitson will have his membership revoked.

A spokesman for said: “It is all well and good for other parties to say we should pay for the by-election, but they haven’t done it in the past – did the Lib Dems pay for the Eastleigh parliamentary by-election, for example?

“The suggestion is ridiculous.”

The county council is currently in the process of fixing a date for the new count.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, the authority's leader, has welcomed Mr Kitson's resignation from the authority.

"His resignation was entirely the right thing to do, I am delighted he is no longer on the council," he said.