Veteran Tory MP Damian Green has announced he will stand for re-election in Ashford after losing out on a new Kent constituency.

The 67-year-old has been facing an uncertain future after not being selected as the Conservative candidate for the new Weald of Kent seat.

The former Deputy Prime Minister put himself forward to stand in the constituency, due to be created by boundary changes, but was not selected by the local Conservative Association executive.

He has now confirmed he will run in Ashford, which will see its electorate fall from 94,054 to 73,546 voters as part of the changes.

In a Facebook post shared this afternoon, Mr Green wrote: "I have been asked by a number of leading figures in the Ashford Conservatives to put myself forward for adoption for the new Ashford seat created as a result of the boundary review.

"I am grateful to them and confirm that I will be doing this.

"I hope I can be given the chance to continue to fight for the interests of those already in the Ashford constituency, and those joining it for the first time."

The new Weald of Kent seat, which will include Tenterden, is planned as part of a national redrawing of constituency boundaries in time for the next general election, which has to be by December 2024.

Ashford town itself would be in a smaller, separate seat, gaining the town of Hawkinge from Folkestone and Hythe.

Mr Green, whose Charing home will fall in the new Weald of Kent constituency, had a majority of 24,029 in the 2019 general election.

Last week, Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins confirmed he plans to retain his current constituency.

His Elham home will fall under the Ashford parliamentary seat as part of the boundary review.

But the Conservative MP told KentOnline: "I am seeking nomination for the new Folkestone and Hythe constituency as that includes by far the greatest number of constituents from the present seat."

Analysis from our political editor Paul Francis

Mr Green has the right to be a candidate under the party's rules on those who represent seats which incorporate 66% of their 'old' constituency.

While it may seem odd that he is able to be considered for two seats, the rule is designed in a way which does not disadvantage MPs who have years of service - as he has.

Ashford may not be quite as safe as the Weald of Kent where he was surprisingly rejected and it does on paper remain a nominally Conservative constituency, despite the loss of wards where Labour is strong.

While there was speculation that he was paying the price for his perceived disloyalty to Boris Johnson the disgruntlement of party activists centred on the fact that they did not have a say in voting for who they wanted to be their prospective candidate.

Under party rules, the selection rests with a 'shadow' executive made up of constituency officials.