The Conservatives are launching a campaign aimed at protecting England's grammar schools from the threat of closure.

A Best Education Schools Taskforce is being set up to focus on the issue, and education spokesmen from the party are to visit grammar schools across the country.

Currently, anti-grammar school campaigners in a number of areas are rallying support to try to trigger ballots on whether to end selective education.

But the Conservatives have accused the system of being unfairly biased towards the abolition of grammar schools.

Shadow education minister John Bercow said: "This campaign will see the Conservative Party fighting for the education we value.

"We want to preserve grammar schools, which are renowned for academic results, sporting prowess and cultural achievements.

"The process of abolition is a dishonest one, from loaded ballots to the hypocrisy of ministers. Around a dozen current and former Labour ministers have benefited from a grammar school education.

"The government has already emasculated grant-maintained schools. Now grammar schools are the one category of school which ministers have spitefully targeted for abolition."

The Best Education Schools Taskforce will be made up of academics, education experts, MPs and councillors.

It will have its own website, and will aim to build up campaign literature on grammar schools and advise the party on fighting for their retention