The election of Jeremy Corbyn has brought an era of uncertainty to Kent grammar schools, according to an MP.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson hit back at the new Labour leader after he announced his opposition to selective schools during his maiden speech yesterday.

The ex-grammar school pupil said he was "dismayed at this attack on our grammar school system", particularly as his constituency contains a number of selective schools.

Leader of Dartford Labour Cllr Jonathan Hawkes branded Mr Johnson's comments as "scaremongering".

Mr Johnson said: "It is particularly concerning that Jeremy Corbyn used his maiden speech to the Labour Party Conference to launch an attack on selective schools.

"Grammar schools raise the standards of all schools in the area. All children have different needs and skills and grammar schools provide part of the diverse system we need to avoid a one size fits all education system.

"This lurch to the left by the Labour Party is worrying nationally and in particular here in Dartford because of the uncertainty it causes Dartford's grammar schools.

"Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party need to leave our grammar schools alone."

Responding to the remarks, Dartford Labour leader Cllr Hawkes said: "It is ridiculous, unhelpful and scaremongering by the MP and he should be focusing on the real issues that are being felt in Dartford, such as the lack of school places.

"He needs to talk about what can be done to help the people of Dartford, rather than scoring cheap political points."

In his speech, Mr Corbyn said: "I’m delighted that Lucy Powell is our new shadow education secretary.

"She has already set out how the education of every child and the quality of every school counts.

"Every school accountable to local government, not bringing back selection. We have aspirations for all children, not just a few."