Ulster Unionist Party source has confirmed that Sir James Goldsmith's Europe of the Nations party has provided it with election funding of around £150,000. The money must be spent in a campaign against European integration.
The money being provided by Sir James, who also leads the Referendum Party, will assist the UUP in strengthening its image in the run up to polling day on May 1st, without the party breaching the strict limitations on constituency spending, the UUP member said.
The source explained that the funding could be spent in areas such as billboarding, featuring pictures of Mr Trimble against a background of the Union Jack.
While the advertisements ostensibly would be against European integration, they would also serve to raise the profile of Mr Trimble ahead of polling day, he explained.
As the money was not being spent on particular constituencies, the advertisements would not breach the election spending regulations.