Come in, No 47: Clacton's red-carpet invite for Trump

When Donald Trump sets off on his first tour of the world’s capitals, his itinerary is likely to be a roll call of famous cities: Berlin, Moscow, Kyiv, Rome, London perhaps.

- DAVID MADDOX

But as Air Force One dots the globe, anyone who suggests that the unfashionable Essex resort of Clacton-on-Sea might be tacked on to the list will not be taken seriously.

It has echoes of the slogan on Del Trotter’s battered yellow Reliant Robin in Only Fools and Horses: “Trotters Independent Trading: New York, Paris, Peckham”. But don’t laugh: there are those in Nigel Farage’s circle who believe it might actually happen.

They are convinced that Farage, who spent election night in the US with Trump, might have already persuaded the president to visit his constituency of Clacton when he visits London, as he is expected to do. In fact, they are already preparing to roll out the red carpet for the president-elect, as well as considering how to impress and entertain him.