THREE candidates are in the running to be the next Tory hopeful to stand for the parliamentary constituency of Chatham and Aylesford at the next general election.

The three, who all come from Kent, are due to battle for the nomination to represent the constituency at a selection meeting tonight.

They will be taking part in what is known as a selection "primary," a Conservative party initiative allowing people who are not members of the party to vote in the selection process.

The trio are Jamie Devlin, who was brought up in Maidstone and who contested the North West Durham consituency at the last election, Kedra Goodhall, a trainee barrister from Folkestone, and Tracey Crouch, who was brought up in Hythe and who has worked as an aide to Kent MPs Damian Green and Michael Howard.

Both Kedra and Tracey are among David Cameron’s "A" list candidates.

Under the rules of the primary selection, those who are not members of the party can attend and vote provided they live in the relevant constituency and have registered to do so.