THANET South Tories have selected Laura Sandys, one of David Cameron’s "A list" candidates, as the constituency’s parliamentary hopeful to fight the next election.

Her selection makes her the first candidate in Kent to be adopted from Mr Cameron's elite list of candidates for one of the county's seven Conservative target seats.

Ms Sandys, 43, has been a political consultant for 15 years and was recently on the shortlist to succeed Michael Howard as the candidate for Folkestone and Hythe.

She said: "I am delighted to have been chosen. I have been involved in Kent politics for some time and know the county well. I know there are lots of exciting opportunities in Thanet South but also some serious challenges."

The seat is held by Labour minister Dr Steve Ladyman.

A life-long member of the party, her father Duncan Sandys was an MP and defence minister in Harold Macmillan’s government.

She is a director of openDemocracy, a website devoted to an analysis of international affairs, and a trustee of the Open University Foundation.

She is involved with the Jamestown initiative, a county council-led scheme aimed to building on the historical links between Kent and Virginia in America.

Her selection means that Mark MacGregor, who contested the seat in 2001 and 2005, will not have a third run at becoming an MP.

It is understood he had applied for the seat.

Activists met on Monday for a special selection meeting. Four candidates made it on to the shortlist.