NIGEL Farage was in for a shock when he dropped in for a pint at his favourite south Essex boozer.

The larger-than-life Ukip leader popped into the Hoy and Helmet pub, in South Benfleet, to celebrate launching the anti-EU party’s general election campaign on Canvey.

But feisty landlady Lisa Griggs made him eat a large slice of humble pie alongside his pint of Greene King, ticking him off for his behaviour on his last visit.

The no-nonsense landlady claims Mr Farage “bullied” his way behind the bar and poured himself a pint in celebration of Ukip’s European election success last May, and warned the “shocked” politician she would not tolerate the same behaviour this time.

Mrs Griggs said: “He was very shocked. He looked at me in disbelief and one of his party spoke for him. I don’t care who he is, I would say that to the Prime Minister.

“I said by you going behind the bar it looks like we support you, when I personally don’t. I don’t support any political party. They are all rubbish.”

The pub lost custom and a manager received hate mail after a photograph of Mr Farage pouring the pint was plastered all over the national media.

Mrs Griggs, who was off when Mr Farage first visited, claims the media-savvy leader “bamboozled” a young female barmaid to get behind the bar and began pouring a pint after encouragement from baying paparazzi.

Bosses at the Spirit Pub Company, which owns the pub, were said be angry after seeing the pictures, fearing it could put off non-Ukip voters.

The firm and Mrs Griggs have made clear the pub is non-political, welcoming drinkers from all parties and none – as long as they obey the rules.

Mrs Griggs also pointed out the safety risks of letting a member of the public behind the bar.

After a dressing-down on his second visit, a chastened Mr Farage and his party, which included Ukip’s parliamentary candidate for Castle Point, Jamie Huntman, finished their drinks and left.

Ukip insists Mr Farage asked permission before nipping behind the pumps.

A spokesman said: “When Mr Farage first visited the pub, some photographers asked him to pull a pint, having got the permission of the bar staff he did so. On the second visit, this time without the media, he doesn’t recall any problems.”