The number of school leavers from Kent going to study at university reveal a marked divide between the east and west of the county, figures show.

In some areas of east Kent, just one in four 18-year-olds went on to higher education in 2017 - in stark contrast to some parts of west Kent, where more than 40% did.

The county divide is revealed just as a government review of tuition fees is launched, amid concerns graduates are leaving with debts of as much as £50,000.

Statistics for parliamentary constituencies show that Dover had the fewest university entrants at 23.9%, followed by Chatham and Aylesford at 24.8%, Sittingbourne and Sheppey at 25.1% then North Thanet at 25.3%.

The data was provided by UCAS - the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said too often, more money went to “schools in leafy west Kent”, leaving east Kent deprived of the investment needed.

Constituencies in west Kent had significantly higher numbers going to study at the age of 18.

In Tunbridge Wells, 42.6% went on to university, followed by Sevenoaks at 41.7% then Tonbridge and Malling at 40%.

There was more of a mixed picture when it came to the progress in numbers over the last decade.

In Dover, there was just 2.3% more going on to university in 2017 compared with 2006 while there was a 5.6% increase in North Thanet and a 6.3% improvement in South Thanet.

Rochester and Strood saw the best progress, with an increase of 10.7%, followed by Tonbridge and Malling with a 10.2% increase; then Gillingham and Rainham at 10%.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said: “These figures underline yet again why we must see more investment in education in east Kent. Too often money goes to schools in leafy west Kent, while we are deprived of our fair share.”

“Against the odds, Dover has seen a rise in the number of students applying to university – from 23% to 29% since 2009. And the girls’ grammar school recently achieved better results than Eton. Yet we must ensure there is equality of opportunity for all, no matter where you’re from in Kent.”

North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale said he favoured some form of maintenance grants.

“I have always been in favour of maintenance grants because they impact on those with the lowest financial facilities. We don’t want to saddle students with debts at the very time they are developing their careers or starting a business.Thanet has very sadly been low in aspiration but things are getting better.”

Paul Luxmoore, the executive headteacher of Coastal Academies Trust, said many parents feared the debts their children would have to repay.

“It is one of the main problems in Thanet and Dover, particularly if there is no history in the family of going on to higher education.”

He added there was some evidence pupils at grammar schools who might traditionally have been expected to go to university were now prepared to take on “high end” apprenticeships.

Labour introduced £1,000 fees for every student in 1997 and abolished grants at the same time.

The bulk of university courses are currently being charged at the maximum £9,250 per year.