Conservatives have reportedly expressed concern at a new ITV programme aiming to find its own candidate for the next general election.

A panel of judges including former political journalist John Seargent will "audition" potential independent candidates, with the final decision resting with a public vote at the end of each show.

Producers have not yet decided which constituency the "winner" will stand in, but Tories are anxious that he or she could contest the Folkstone and Hythe seat held by leader Michael Howard, whose 5,907 majority is considerably smaller than those held by either Tony Blair or Charles Kennedy.