Conservative MP Kelly Tolhurst has been given the green light to stand for the party at the next General Election.

The MP for Rochester and Strood was selected to once again contest the seat after a meeting of the party's local selection council.

She was first elected in 2015 - taking over the reins from Mark Reckless. He had held the seat for the Conservatives before defecting to Ukip in 2014.

At the 2019 election, she increased her majority to 17,072 - polling 60% of the votes. Earlier this week she was appointed as a Privy Counsellor to the King

She tweeted after the selection process: "Honoured to have been adopted today by the selection council as the Conservative candidate to fight the next General Election for the constituency of Rochester & Strood. It is a privilege to represent the constituency I have lived all my life."

Her re-selection comes a week after long-serving Ashford MP Damian Green was rejected at the Tory candidate for a new Kent constituency.

The 67-year-old, who currently represents Ashford and Tenterden, was surprisingly not picked to stand for the newly created Weald of Kent seat. He is said to be currently considering his options.

On Thursday, MP Helen Whately was reselected as the Conservative candidate for the Faversham and Mid Kent constituency which she has represented since 2010.

The next General Election must take place before January 24, 2025.