IT seems former soap star Adam Rickitt is not content to swap acting for just any old place in the political arena.

The Coronation Street favourite, from Cuddington, is hoping to secure the Kent seat that will be left empty when ex-Tory leader and former Home Secretary Michael Howard steps down at the next election.

Adam has been selected for David Cameron's approved A-list of candidates who will fight it out for 140 Parliamentary seats the party regards as winnable.

It was originally thought he would take over from veteran Macclesfield MP Nicholas Winterton.

Now it has emerged the 28-year-old may vie for the Folkestone and Hythe seat currently held by Howard with a 11,680 majority.

This revelation has been met with some surprise as the young hopeful has no links with the safe Conservative seat and has never stood for election in the past.

Mr Rickitt has confirmed he will stand as a Tory MP at the next election but has not revealed which seat he would like to take.

The final selection process for the 140 seats is expected to take place before the end of July.