Parliamentary candidate Tania Mathias has promised to support residents in their fight against Turing House free school being based in Whitton.

The Conservative councillor for Hampton Wick, who is standing in Twickenham during next month's general election, said she opposed the site in Hospital Bridge Road.

On a statement on her campaign website on Monday, Dr Mathias said: "I've been speaking to Whitton residents and I absolutely sympathise with their concerns about the stories of a possible site for a school, specifically Turing House Free School in Whitton, that might have 80 per cent of pupils coming from Teddington and Twickenham.

"I would not support this site for such a school in Whitton.

"At present my understanding is that there is no application from Turing House with Richmond Council but I will support Whitton residents if such an application comes forth.

"As far as I am aware Richmond Council has not dismissed any sites and will advise any school provider about planning rules and possibilities for sites in the borough as we need to increase the numbers of school places in Twickenham constituency."

When approached by this newspaper on April 17, Dr Mathias had refused to comment on the proposed site until a planning application was submitted.

She said: "I am not commenting because it is just feeding this and judging something before it is there in total and we are causing concern.

"We need the facts and then we can address the concerns."

It is believed the Education Funding Agency is also considering the for-sale Imperial College Playing Fields in Teddington as a potential site but the council favours the Whitton option.

Teddington Councillor Stephen Knight said: "I think it begs the question that if Tania Mathias opposes both the Whitton site and the Teddington site, then does she oppose the school opening?

"Both Vince Cable and I have said the school should go to Teddington and I think people deserve to know where they stand."