A Conservative MP who advocates the use of astrology in medicine is to seek election as chairman of the Commons Health Select Committee.

David Tredinnick, a committee member since 2010, has got the required number of MP nominations to get on the ballot.

The MP, who also argues for homeopathy to play a role in the health system, will challenge existing chairwoman Dr Sarah Wollaston for the role.

Nominations close on 10 June, with the vote to be held on 17 June.

A candidate needs to be nominated by at least 15 MPs from the same political party or 10% of the MPs elected of that party, whichever is the lower.

The vote will be conducted using a transferrable system - as is customary for select committee chair elections.

The winner will formally take up their position when the remaining members of the committee have been selected by their respective political parties.

'Useful diagnostic tool'

Mr Tredinnick has received 18 cross-party nominations for the chairmanship, and Dr Sarah Wollaston's candidacy has been backed by a cross-section of 20 MPs.

Mr Tredinnick, who was first elected to Parliament in 1987, has previously argued for herbal remedies and healing to be used in the NHS, and said that he wanted to promote the use of astrology.

The Bosworth MP has stopped short of suggesting astrological readings on the NHS, but has told the BBC he wants to raise awareness of it as an alternative among patients and clinicians.

In January, he told the Astrological Journal that astrology had been successfully used in countries like India and China, and that opposition to it was driven by "superstition, ignorance and prejudice".

"Astrology is a useful diagnostic tool enabling us to see strengths and weaknesses via the birth chart," he said.

Select committee chairs and members are chosen at the start of every new Parliament, so the party composition reflects the new make-up of the House of Commons.