There is strong support among voters for more grammar schools in Kent, with three out of four voters indicating they would like to see a ban on new selective schools lifted.

The issue has already proved a flashpoint in the campaign and divided the parties.

In an exclusive county-wide survey of 1,000 people conducted on behalf of KentOnline, 75% said they wanted more grammar schools, with support particularly strong among Conservative and Ukip voters and those over the age of 55.

However, the Conservative-led coalition has faced criticism for failing to give the green light for a new grammar school annexe in west Kent - the first ‘new’ grammar in decades.

The county has the highest number of grammars of anywhere in the country.

And a growing number of former Kent Conservative MPs - including Damian Green and Gareth Johnston - say they want to the party to lift its ban on new selective schools.

Ukip would not stand in the way of new selective schools and its manifesto commits the party to having a grammar school in every town.

The Department for Education is currently weighing up a proposal by The Weald of Kent Girls Grammar School to open and run an annexe to the exisiting site in Sevenoaks.

The survey was conducted by Ashford-based Facts International, a leading market research company established for 30 years.

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