A Kent MP says children wanting places at new grammar schools should be able to access them at different ages.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson (Conservative) said he was uncertain that deciding at the age of 11 who should go to grammar schools was right.

The MP, who said he had failed the 11-plus himself, told Paul On Politics that he wanted to see children able to go to grammars at different ages.

“I am not sure that having examination at 10 is the right answer. I am a great believer in grammar schools but would like to see children at the age or 11, 12 or 13 as they mature be able to transfer do grammar schools,” he said.

But Labour county councillor Roger Truelove denounced the government’s plans for new grammars.

“Theresa May’s announcement is a ridiculous diversion from what is incredibly important set of issues we have to deal like a shortage of places shortage of teachers. This has been brought up just to please Conservative backbenchers and act as a barrier to UKIP,” he told the programme.

The two also clashed on the issue of Brexit and whether MPs should vote on triggering Article 50.

Cllr Truelove said: “It is right that MPs should ask government what is the direction of travel and ensuring that we keep access to the biggest economic market.”

Mr Henderson said: “It was quite clear what the implications would be. The question was should we leave the EU and the answer was yes - how we actually do that is for government and ministers to decide.”

You can watch the full programme on KMTV.