Jeremy Corbyn was greeted by large crowds of supporters at a leadership rally in Ramsgate today where he pledged that a future Labour government would tackle inequalities in areas like Thanet.

He also said that Labour would oppose any new grammar schools - as Prime Minister Theresa May has hinted there could be - and left open the issue of whether those that existed would be scrapped.

Mr Corbyn was given a rapturous reception at the rally, with organisers saying it was attended by at least 2,500 people.

He delivered a 20 minute speech in which he attacked cuts to the NHS and public services. He drew lengthy applause for promising a different way of doing politics.

He was mobbed by admirers and posed for countless photos on a visit that saw huge crowds pack out Ramsgate's East Cliff to hear his speech.

Asked what the party message was to former supporters who had drifted away from Labour too UKIP, he said:

"That we have a strategy for investment in housing; that we have a strategy for industrial investment and development and in so doing, point out the challenge of low wages in the area. Labour offers a real alternative."

On grammar schools, he said: "I am not in favour of selection in education. While Theresa May has said she thinks grammar schools are a good thing, I beg to differ.I would want local education authorities to develop a wide-entry comprehensive system model because that gives fair opportunities to everyone."

On the remaining 164 in the country - of which 33 are in Kent - he said a Labour government would seek to encourage councils to absorb them into a comprehensive system.

Although Mr Corbyn looks to be ahead in the leadership contest, the party in Kent has had mixed fortunes in recent council by-elections.

UKIP held on to two seats in a recent by-election in Northwood against expectations and meant it regained overall control of the only council in the country that it runs.

The rally was organised by the campaign group Momentum.