Travelling at the speed of light, he may not have been - Queen guitarist Brian May was half an hour late to arrive at Bradfields Academy in Walderslade this afternoon.

But there was no stopping him once the rock legend got going on a supersonic tour of the school.

He was joined by Conservative candidate for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch, who he's backing as part of his Common Decency campaign.

Winning the support of the guitar hero and sometime astrophysicist is an undeniable coup for Miss Crouch, but Dr May was at pains to stress he's backing her for her strength of character rather than her party.

"We've worked with Tracey quite a bit because she's a wonderful animal advocate," he said.

"Even in the face of intimidation and bullying from the House of Commons and some of the people in her own party, she's stood up and backed us on the badger cull and fox hunting.

Video: Why Brian May thinks Tracey Crouch is a champion

"She's a magnificent person, that's all I can say.

"I've now learned what she's done here in helping to build this incredible school for children with learning difficulties and my appreciation for the woman grows every hour.

"Common Decency is about getting a more decent House of Commons. We need to reclaim our democracy because a large number of MPs do not listen to their constituents.

"They don't stand up and vote for what they believe in because they're not allowed to, because they're bullied by the whips. There are some who do and some who don't.

"Tracey's one of the ones who will say 'no, I will do what I will do.'"

Dr May proved a big hit with children at the school, and after watching some of the school's musicians perform he even took part in an impromptu performance of Queen hit Don't Stop Me Now - no mean feat given that he was handed an out of tune guitar with no prior warning.

He was less keen on talk of heart dissection in the science lab, which he disagreed with on principle, saying: "I think it gives the wrong message, because they don't learn respect for animals."

Overall he was full of praise for Bradfields Academy.

"I'm blown away," he said. "I mean these kids are incredible.

"What a wonderful place, full of happy kids feeling fulfilled.

"I've had a great time and it's been an education because I didn't know what Tracey did in the constituency."

The Common Decency campaign is urging people to ignore political parties by voting "colour-blind"; will work to help oust career politicians and party-liners; and will provide financial support to candidates such as Miss Crouch, who are deemed to fit the Common Decency principles.