KentOnline

A man involved in a so-called dine and dash at a Kent restaurant has been ordered to pay compensation and court costs. The 44-year-old,  a woman and children left Stubbs in Kennington after racking up a £250 bill last November. Also in today's podcast, a Kent nightclub's reopening later, six months after being forced to close following a huge fire next door. The derelict Odeon cinema in Canterbury's St George's Place went up in flames on Valentine's Day. It left the structure in a dangerous condition and Tokyo Tea Rooms had to stay shut. Hear from owner Louise Jones-Roberts. More volunteers are needed to help the Royal British Legion run their Poppy Appeal in Kent. The annual event raises vital funds to help veterans and other service men and women. Around 3,000 volunteers take part, but there's currently a shortfall in Aylesford. In sport, Ebbsfleet United have been told their suspension from playing in the National League has been extended. A committee's met to discuss the club's future and say a tax bill still hasn't been paid and a winding up order remains in place. And, Kent's Moses Itauma has been described as being "a million times better" than Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury by one of the sports' legends. Prince Naseem Hamed has backed the young heavyweight from Chatham ahead of his world title bout Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A man has been charged with murder following an alleged double stabbing in Ramsgate. A 52-year-old man died in hospital after being found injured on Harbour Street on Sunday - another man was also discovered nearby with stab wounds. 21-year-old Kieran O’Rourke, from Seafield Mews in the town, is due in court. Also in today's podcast, a Kent taxi boss says he's in shock after being told to remove Royal British Legion stickers and poppies from his fleet. Neil McLennan runs iCars in Sittingbourne and Sheppey and was contacted by the council who'd received a complaint. He's been told he can't have advertising or slogans on his cabs, but the decision's caused outrage among councillors and the local MP. Figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show more than a third of young people here in the south east are cutting back on food so they can afford other essentials. Meantime, 31% of 16 to 25 year-olds have missed meals in the last three months and one-in-eight have gone without hygiene and sanitary products. We've been speaking to Trussell Trust who carried out the research. And in sport, former Gillingham defender Conor Masterson will be playing league one football this season. He's signed a deal with Reading until January after impressing during training. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A woman who grabbed a person by the hair during an attack in Primark in Canterbury has avoided being sent to prison. A court was told a dispute broke out in a lift before spilling out onto the shop floor with other customers trying to intervene. Donna Baker - who's 41 and from Plaxton Way in Herne Bay - initially denied an assault charge but changed her plea and has been given a suspended sentence. Also in today's podcast, staff at a youth club in Kent have been telling us how they've managed to get children off their phones over the summer holidays. The Zone is based in a former cricket pavilion at St Peter's Recreation Ground in Broadstairs. Manager Victoria Suchak says the building is so old it doesn't have Wifi. A goat sanctuary near Maidstone is set to be able to welcome even more animals after buying up extra land. Buttercups in Boughton Monchelsea has purchased 17 additional acres next to its existing site. The charity helps abandoned, neglected and surrendered goats as well as funding routine healthcare, complex procedures and rehabilitation. In football, Gillingham wing-back Kdeem Harris is facing months on the sidelines after rupturing his ACL. The 33-year-old joined from league two rivals Salford in June - and was stretchered off in the 70th minute of the Gills draw with Fleetwood Town. Meantime, defender Logan Dobbs says he's keen to show the club what he can do after making his first Football League start. The 19-year-old stepped into the side on Saturday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Folkestone doorman says an assault at work has changed his life and left him feeling badly let down by the justice system. Jonathon Proctor suffered serious leg injuries while working at the Old Cigar and Olive in November 2024. Last month, his attacker admitted causing actual bodily harm and was ordered to pay compensation, but Jonathan says he wasn't told about the sentencing hearing. Also in today's podcast, police investigating a double stabbing in Ramsgate have now launched a murder investigation after one man died. Two victims were found in Harbour Street and Harbour Parade in the early hours of yesterday. A young woman from Herne Bay is warning others to make sure they know the potential side effects of steroid creams, after she was left with a severe skin condition. Sophie Cooper had been prescribed cream for eczema, but says she was never verbally warned about something called TSW, or topical steroid withdrawal. The 21-year-old has almost 17,000 followers on TikTok and has been sharing her story. A charity shop in Maidstone abandoned during the pandemic has been transformed into a new home. Save the Children were operating out of the Grade II listed building on Union Street - and even hosted Princess Anne during a royal visit in 2017. And in sport, Gillingham have picked up their first point of the season. They're game away to Fleetwood Town on Saturday ended goalless. Hear from boss Gareth Ainsworth who spoke to us after the final whistle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

People living in part of Sittingbourne fear an area of land they describe as an 'oasis of calm' could be lost to housing developers. Three acres of space in Riddles Road, which used to belong to a school, has been used by the community for around 75 years. However, the owner of the land - which is Kent County Council - have decided to sell it. Also in today's podcast, a Kent mum is campaigning to get a drug that could help her 18-year-old son available on the NHS. Jake Officer from Tonbridge suffers from Friedreich’s ataxia - but didn't show any symptoms until he was seven. He was eventually diagnosed after having spinal surgery soon after his ninth birthday. A supermarket delivery van has damaged a Grade Two-listed well in Lyminge, near Folkestone. St Eadburg’s Well dates back centuries and was the village’s main fresh water source until 1905. And in sport, the Gillingham manager says his side need to bounce straight back from a defeat in their first league game of the season. They were beaten 3-0 by Walsall at Priestfield last time out - with all of the goals coming in the last 10 minutes. Tomorrow, they travel to take on Fleetwood Town. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thousands of teenagers across Kent have been collecting their GCSE results. For the first time, they're being made available on an app too. Nationally, the number of top grades being given out has risen - and the key pass rate has returned to pre-Covid levels. Hear from 16-year-olds at Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet and from the principal of EKC College Broadstairs. Also in today's podcast, the Prime Minister's ordered the clean-up of 1,500 tonnes of illegal waste in Kent. Andy Burnham's also said anyone caught dumping it in future could face a 5-thousand pound fine under plans to tackle organised crime. A Maidstone man has described his shock after getting a phone call to say his water bill had soared to £7,000. While drinking supplies in parts of the county are at critically low levels because of the hot dry summer - Mick Foy's meter recorded him using enough in 24 hours to fill 300 baths. A little boy from Sittingbourne who was born with three rare genetic conditions has defied medics and is preparing to celebrate his third birthday. Jude Bedingfield's parents were told he may not survive birth, after being diagnosed during his mum's 22 week scan. And in sport, the Gillingham boss says Seb Palmer-Houlden's move to Scotland is a success story for the club. The striker's joined Motherwell following a season at Priestfield. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Villagers impacted by water outages in part of Kent have gathered thousands of plastic bottles to show the environmental impact it's having. Homes in and around Benenden have had low pressure or not water at all since last Thursday. Residents have spelt out HELP US on the local cricket ground. Hear from the landlady of the village pub who came up with the idea. Also in today's podcast, a businessman says he's been left 'on edge' after masked intruders stole expensive sculptures from the garden of his home in Kent. The bronze deer statues were taken from the property in Horton Kirby near Dartford during a 16 minute raid at the end of July. An action plan's being put together in Maidstone with a quarter of a million pounds worth of funding to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. Residents have been putting forward ideas - including better education, youth clubs, bystander training and more female leadership. Hear from council leader, councillor Stuart Jeffery. A sports club's been left with a £4,000 repair bill after windows of their clubhouse were reportedly smashed with catapults... Ashford Hockey Club's building on Ball Lane was targeted in the early hours of Monday. Traders in Sandwich are calling for compensation after main routes into the town were cut off. The Toll Bridge has been closed for the past 11 days after it was damaged by a Southern Water tanker, while the A256 was closed for emergency sewer repairs. And in sport, Gillingham have lost their opening group game in the Premier League under-21 cup. They were beaten 4-1 by Huddersfield Town. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

South East Water have apologised to thousands of Kent customers who've been experiencing problems with their water supply. Bosses say they've managed to get taps running again in more than 7,000 properties after issues started on Saturday, but hundreds of homes in Benenden are still experiencing disruption. The company have also revealed some water staff are experiencing abuse as they try to fix problems. Also in today's podcast, a campaign group has welcomed news Virgin Trains are a step closer to running services from London to mainland Europe. The operator's been given permission to use the Channel Tunnel from 2030. It's hoped it'll lead to services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam stopping at Ashford and Ebbsfleet again. We've been getting reaction from Bring Back Euro Trains. People living in a block of flats say they've been unable to open their windows during the long hot summer because of a smell coming from uncollected rubbish. Residents and neighbours of Weavers Court in Rochester have had repeated issues with the collection over the years - and say it's been a problem for the past 12 weeks.  If you head to KentOnline you can see pictures from a Tunbridge Wells woman who's returned from a solo month-long trip to Alaska. While we've been experiencing several heatwaves, Siobhan Daniels faced temperatures of -15c as she travelled through Canada in a motorhome. She kept a diary during her travels which she's turned into a book due to be launched next month. And in sport, former Kent cricketer, Jordan Cox, says he's hoping to do well for England after being named in the side for the first Test against Pakistan. The 25 year-old, who was born in Margate, has been told he'll bat at number three. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The family of a Kent teenager have told KentOnline it wasn't until after her death they realised how much disturbing content she was viewing online. Blake Gallier took her own life in October last year and the 13 year-old's mum and sister have now set up a charity called Blake's Pink Promise. Also in today's episode, a former primary school teacher from Canterbury who was stalked online by a colleague is concerned he could be eligible for the government's early release scheme. Jonathan Bates was given a five-year sentence last January after making deepfake images of four people and posting them on adult websites. South East Water have apologised following another weekend of supply disruption in Kent. Problems started for for around 800 residents in Challock, Charing and Molash on Saturday. Meantime, farmers have also been telling us about the impact drought conditions are having. Staff at a bird of prey centre in Kent have been telling us about some of the challenges they've faced, as they mark their 30th anniversary. Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation was set up on a former cattle farm in Eynsford in 1996. And in sport, Gillingham's League Two campaign has begun with a disappointing defeat. Walsall scored three very-late goals at Priestfield on Saturday, hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dozens of people have been left out of pocket after a swim school run by a former international athlete closed suddenly. All About Swimming Ltd, which operated at pools in Wilmington and Cobham, was run by former Commonwealth Games swimmer Angela Wilson. Also in today's episode, hear from residents who say dust from work on a new development has left them fearing for their health. 300 homes are being built at Ufton Court Farm outside Tunstall, and the people behind the project insist appropriate measures are being taken to minimise disruption. People in Chatham have been responding to government plans to make it harder for betting shops to open up in our High Streets. Currently, a council's powers to refuse new betting shops are limited if they meet licensing requirements - however new rule changes would see that scrapped. The manager of a youth club in Broadstairs has been telling us about the challenges for staff and children during the extreme heat. The Zone Youth Club is based in the pavilion at St Peter's Recreation Ground, and is unable to afford air conditioning. And, the Gillingham manager is feeling confident ahead of their first league two game of the season. They are taking on Walsall at Priestfield on Saturday afternoon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grieving Kent families fear super-strength synthetic opioids could be responsible for far more deaths than are officially recorded. Some of the drugs, known as nitazenes, are hundreds of times stronger than heroin – you can hear from the partner of one woman who died from substance abuse in Ashford.  Also in today’s podcast, thousands of Kent pupils are discovering their A-level results today - with teenagers at schools and sixth form colleges across the county picking up their all-important grades since 8am. We’ve spoken to bosses at the University of Kent about what they’ve got on offer and what to if you miss out on the grades you were hoping for.  Two people have suffered life-changing injuries in a serious crash on a busy road. They’ve been taken to a London hospital following the collision between Canterbury and Hythe.  Medway Council is going to write to the government asking for support as it battles to fund huge increases in social care costs. Leader Cllr Vince Maple has revealed the authority is spending more than £1 million a day on people who need support. And Kent residents have flocked to spots to get a glimpse of yesterday’s solar eclipse.  Crowds gathered at vantage points across the county throughout the evening for the main event - when the moon will passed in front of and blocked around 95% of the sun. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Strood woman who was twice the drink-drive limit when she ploughed into a grandmother’s bungalow has been sentenced.  The crash left 84-year-old Jill Robson, who has terminal leukaemia, living in a hotel for six months – you can hear from her about how she felt in court.  Also in today’s podcast, we hear from the experts ahead of tonight’s solar eclipse which will be visible in Kent today.  It’s a rare event that hasn’t been seen for nearly 25-years but there is a warning about safe ways to watch as the moon moves across the sun.  A Kent veteran of the UK’s nuclear bomb testing programme of the 1950s and ‘60s says the change of Prime Minister has brought new hope. The diminishing number of ex-servicemen say they have been waiting more than 70 years for proper compensation after having been used as “human guinea-pigs” while Britain was testing its first nuclear weapons. A luxury hotel and golf course that has attracted several celebrities to stay has scrapped plans for a major expansion, leaving staff and bosses “bitterly disappointed”. They had hoped to create a “country-club style” extension of its facilities, including a spa, padel courts and extra rooms. And we can bring you an update on a group of six Kent women who were taking part in a challenge to swim from Dover to France.  They wanted to take on the swim to honour the first woman to do it 100 years ago – and to raise money for a charity which teaches children life saving skills.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are plans to reduce the need for Operation Brock on the M20 by turning a long-disused cargo terminal at the Port of Dover into a holding area.  In what could be good news for drivers, Kent County Council says reconfiguring the Eastern Docks will create increased queuing capacity for the equivalent of more than 500 lorries. Also in today’s podcast, drought has been declared across all of Kent as another heat health alert comes into force.  You can hear from one local leader on what this means for the county and how they’re dealing with the challenges.  Plans to bring a dozen “pods” for homeless people as part of a £4 million project have taken a step forward. The 12 self-contained units, which include some with balconies, at a former commuter car park in Blue Bell Hill, near Chatham, are being built after being given the green light earlier this year.  A mum who paid cash for her share of a new-build home says she feels “trapped” amid ongoing parking problems and dust from neighbouring construction projects wreaking havoc. She moved to Ebbsfleet Garden City in the hope of a greener and cleaner life for her and her three-year-old son but has been faced with an “insane” reality.  And to help British troops prepare for what they could face on the battlefield, the Army practises mass casualty scenarios using trained actors from recruited from job centres in Kent.  They use realistic makeup to represent injuries – you can hear from two people who take part.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wildfires have broken out in Kent and residents have been experiencing more disruption to their water supply, as we get ready for the fifth heatwave of the summer. A yellow heat health alert is in force across the county, which will be upgraded to amber from 9am Tuesday. In today's episode, hear from a man who witnessed flames spreading towards a farmer's fields on the Isle of Grain and reports of bottled water being stolen from people's doorsteps during an outage. The boss of South East Water has also issued an apology to customers following a weekend of supply issues. It comes amid growing calls for water companies to have a legal say in new housing developments to make sure they can keep up with demand. Politicians from all different parties have joined forces to try and get the planning process changed. A Kent man has been awarded compensation after two years of being chased by debt collectors over a parking dispute. John Waters was issued with a fine after the ticket he bought was issued with only the last four details of his vehicle registration. He has been giving other drivers tips on how to pursue a claim if the same thing happens to them. In football, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has been reacting to their defeat to Luton Town in the Carabao Cup. It was their first game of the new season, with their league two campaign due to get underway later this week. And in cricket, Kent still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the One Day Cup. They beat group leaders Leicestershire Foxes at Beckenham yesterday, after captain Daniel Bell-Drummond scored a massive 133 runs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Local bosses in Medway have hit back at claims that new town centre flats will be homes for asylum seekers or bought by London councils. Rumours have been circulating around the refurbished Mountbatten House in Chatham which is due for completion later this summer.  Also in today’s podcast, plans to shut fire stations and cut jobs across Kent have been overwhelmingly rejected by councillors. Members of the governing body threw out proposals to radically shake up the way the service is run – you can hear from the Fire Brigades Union who have called it a win for the community.  A mum who became a paraplegic overnight says there is not enough mental health support for those living with spinal cord injuries. Ruth Bateup from East Peckham went into hospital for spinal decompression surgery in April but woke up unable to walk. We've spoken to one of the organisations in Kent to benefit from kmfm’s Tonnes of Tins campaign.  12.8-tonnes of food has been delivered to foodbanks and charitable organisations across the county to help those who are struggling.  And in football, you can hear from the Gillingham manager who says they’re aiming big ahead of their first game of the season.  It's a Carbao Cup tie against Luton Town at Priestfield tomorrow. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Staff at Kent's biggest hospital say they’re having to pick up shifts in pubs following a decision by bosses to raise parking fees by 60 percent. Changes came into force at Medway Maritime at the start of the month – you can hear from a 19-year-old student midwife on how it’s impacted her.  Also in today’s podcast, fire bosses from Kent and Medway are meeting today to discuss plans to make cuts to services, just days after a noisy protest outside County Hall drew hundreds of supporters.  It comes as fire crews have dealt with a number of blazes as the hot and dry weather continues.  A violent abuser threatened to "annihilate" his girlfriend before suffocating her with a duvet after she threw him out. The 29-year-old held a quilt over her face as she struggled for breath inside her Herne Bay flat, only stopping when she bit his hand hard enough to draw blood. We’ve spoken to a conservation group who have told us what's at stake, if an ancient Kent woodland is used as a quarry.  It’s after proposals to mine sand, gravel and stone from around one-hundred acres of Oaken Wood, near Aylesford, gathered more than 20,000 letters of objection.  And, an all-female relay team are raising money for a drowning prevention charity, by swimming from Dover to France. They're taking on the challenge, 100 years after the first woman successfully swam the Channel.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The family of a man left in a coma for more than a decade after being restrained at a party are pleading for answers following his death. Denby Collins was left critically ill after five people held him down after he entered a home in Gillingham 12 years ago – you can hear from his father.  Also in today’s podcast, firefighters from across Kent have staged a noisy protest against proposed cuts to services. Around 300 people blew horns and waved flags during the mass show of strength, over plans to slash part-time “on-call” crew members and shut stations to divert resources to daytime cover. We're told there are unanswered questions about a contamination issue in north Kent which has been highlighted in a government report. The planning inspectorate has rejected a major development in Ebbsfleet – lead pollution is one of the concerns mentioned. You can hear from one of Medway's MPs who says she believes the new Prime Minister won't have to make any u-turns on his promises. In the first couple of weeks of the job, Andy Burnham's pledged to end rough sleeping, reform education and look to overhaul social care. And from changing nappies to serving cappuccinos - two Kent nursery owners have swapped playrooms for pastries as they officially open their first coffee shop together. We’ve spoken to the bosses of the new Little Market Cafe in Leybourne after years of dreaming about running a food and drink venture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

​Two men embroiled in a street fight involving a woman being knocked unconscious and the brandishing of a golf club have had their summer "ruined" by a six-week tagged curfew. A judge told pair, who were on opposing sides of a brawl, that while their friends enjoyed their evenings over the coming days, they would have to stay indoors reflecting on their shameful behaviour. Also in today’s podcast, one of the worst cases of fly-tipping a council says it’s ever seen has resulted in the culprit walking away from court with a suspended sentence — leaving the authorities to foot the whopping £150,000 clean up bill. The suspect was hauled before the courts in June after being caught dumping and burning waste on an “industrial scale” and now local bosses are calling for the courts to be tougher on those convicted.  Bosses at Canterbury Foodbank have been telling the KentOnline Podcast how the summer holidays have led to a huge rise in demand from families who are struggling to get by.  Kent County Council has been criticised for scrapping a scheme that previously gave children on free school meals a 10-pound voucher every week over the holidays. A tenant who left his damp-ridden council home for the sake of his health has been left stunned after receiving a repair bill almost a year later. You can hear from chronically ill Nathan Baintree who’s been told he need to pay more than £600.  And a breast cancer patient who found there was “no air to breathe” in the “unbearably hot” chemotherapy unit where she receives treatment has raised more than £1,000 to buy fans. Ania Joyles from New Ash Green has been attending chemo sessions at Darent Valley Hospital for months but says it became increasingly uncomfortable over the last few weeks as there is no air conditioning. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An inquest has heard a “charming and determined” teenager tragically fell onto a live railway line and died after a weekend of partying with his friends. The 18-year-old was intoxicated when he got off the train at Strood before stumbling to the exit and falling onto the tracks in March.  Also in today’s podcast, water is being restored to thousands of homes after a burst pipe damaged a large water main over the weekend. More than 2,000 households in Tonbridge have been without supplies since Saturday – you can hear from the local MP.  People forced out of a tower block after fire safety fears sparked a mass evacuation have been told they need to continue paying service charges for an empty building. Miller Heights residents’ nightmare began in May after a power outage, due to an electrical fault in the basement, led to a prohibition order and the flats being deemed unsafe. Campervanners say a council needs to invest more in a seafront parking spot to make it worth paying £15 a night. Exactly a year ago today, fees were introduced to stay overnight at the Shingle Bank off Marine Parade, Minster, on Sheppey. Previously, people could park there for free. And in cricket, you can hear from Kent’s Chris Benjamin who says he was delighted to help his side over the line against Notts Outlaws.  A five-wicket success at Beckenham made it three wins out of five for Kent in the One Day Cup ahead of a trip to Surrey on Wednesday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're starting today's episode with development news as there are plans to build 115 flats in Sittingbourne - without a single car parking space. An application's been submitted for land off Fountain Street, near the town's railway station. Elsewhere, plans to build a new football stadium and 3,500 homes in north Kent have been rejected. The £40 million development was put forward by Ebbsfleet United. And, bosses in Maidstone are going to try and stop developers from being able to convert office blocks into flats. It's after a prohibition notice was issued and residents forced to move out of Miller Heights in the town when a flood in the basement affected the electrics. Also in today's podcast, business leaders in Kent are calling for local government reorganisation to be delivered without delay, to limit the impact on the economy. Our current 14 councils are going to be scrapped and replaced with four bigger unitary authorities. The deadline is 2028 - but it's feared the process could be held up as some are unhappy with the boundary choice. Ahead of the new football season, a grassroots club in Kent has praised the work of it's volunteers to keep it running. It's thought around 1 in 5 children in Faversham has a connection to Faversham Strike Force. They've recently been highly commended in the club of the year category at the Kent FA awards and are looking to expand. And finally, the new Next at Bluewater has officially opened. The store has moved into the vacant House of Fraser which closed at the end of 2024. It's the chain's biggest shop in the UK and includes an in-store Costa coffee. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There's been an angry reaction to plans to close down a market in Maidstone. Stall holders currently set up in the Market Hall at Lockmeadow on Tuesdays and Saturdays - but the council's looking for new uses for the site. A dog handler's told the KentOnline podcast that crime gangs are using 'James Bond style concealments' to try and hide illegal cigarettes in shops... It's after more than 58,000 were discovered in stores in Medway - along with hand rolling tobacco. Trading Standards officers teamed up with police to search sites in Chatham, Strood, Gillingham and Twydall. Government funding's been secured to improve access at the Port of Dover, in a bid to ease traffic congestion. The £20 million scheme will create space for another 500 lorries at the eastern docks and bosses say it'll reduce the need to use Operation Brock and Dover TAP. A Kent football coach has had life-saving surgery in Portugal after the club helped raise tens of thousands of pounds. Paul Squires was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year - but has now been told he's free of the disease after surgeons removed his pancreas, gallbladder and spleen. His wife has given an update. In sport, Gillingham have made their ninth signing of the summer. Defender Sam Tabares has joined on a free transfer after leaving Southampton. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Canterbury man's been ordered to do unpaid work and make sure his dog wears a muzzle after it attacked two people, including a police officer. Rottweiler Obie escaped after a delivery driver left a gate open in June last year. Also in today's podcast, a rehab charity in Kent says the number of young people seeking help for ketamine addiction has more than doubled in the past year. The drug is thought to be growing in popularity, and can cause serious complications including bladder damage and long-term mental health issues. Hear from Jack who started using it when he was 16 and is now getting support from Kenward Trust in Yalding. With temperatures set to top 30 degrees in Kent again today, there's a warning not to cool off in rivers and lakes. An amber heat health alert's come into force for 24 hours until 9am tomorrow. People living in a village near Dover say they're virtually stranded without any buses running over the summer. After Shepherdswell lost its all-day services last November, the only one is for school children and doesn't run during the holidays. Residents say it's left them struggling to get to appointments, collect shopping and visit relatives. A Kent woman who set up a community support centre and foodbank in Herne Bay is getting an honorary doctorate from the University of Kent. Maya Amangeldiyeva also has a free shop which started in 2022. And, Gillingham have officially signed Nick Freeman after a successful trial at the club. He joined the Gills at the start of pre-season after previously playing for manager Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe Wanderers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Firefighters have issued advice to try and reduce the number of grass fires in Kent as we're told 300 have broken out since the first heatwave of the year. Stats show 130 of them were in July alone - and 30 were tackled over the past weekend. Smokers are being told not to throw cigarettes out of car windows and there's guidance around disposable barbecues too. It comes as major wildfires continue to burn in parts of Europe. We've been speaking to a travel agent from Tunbridge Wells who's got advice for anyone due to travel to France and Spain this summer. Also in today's podcast, a woman's recovering from emergency surgery after suffering a life-threatening brain haemorrhage while shopping in Medway. Margaret Matharu from Halling started to experience a pain in the back of her head while she was at a checkout in Morrisons in Strood last month and has described what happened. The landlords of a Kent pub say they're losing hundreds of pounds a day because of road closures in their village. Six weeks worth of gas main repairs are taking place in Golden Green near Tonbridge. A petition's been set up calling for cheaper school travel for tens of thousands of pupils in Kent. It's because over the past four years, the Kent Travel Saver pass for children to use a bus has increased from £450 to £615. Families say it's become unaffordable during the cost of living crisis. And, a well-known Kent hairdresser is retiring after almost six decades in business. George Antoniou, who's originally from Cyprus, opened his first salon in Canterbury in 1968 - and went on to build an empire with 11 more sites across the county. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A baby's been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after falling from the window of a flat above a shop in Gillingham. Emergency crews were called to Woodlands Road after the little boy landed on the pavement outside a Best-One convenience store just after 6 last night. Hear from our reporter Joe Crossley who has been at the scene. Also in today's podcast, the owner of a convenience store in Rochester says he's seen a spike in shoplifting during the hot weather. CCTV footage shows children stealing ice cream and drinks from the Premier store on Delce Road four times in the space of a week. Figures have revealed the number of Kent children entitled to special needs support who are still waiting for a school place. 417 pupils with education, health and care plans are on the list - and around three-quarters of those have been waiting more than 90 days. Many parents say the process of finding a suitable place has left them at "breaking point". We've been speaking to two of them. If you're planning a day trip to London during the summer holidays, the advice is to check the trains as two of the capital's stations are closed. £20 million worth of engineering work is taking place at Charing Cross and Waterloo East. A Canterbury couple who started fostering while in their 20s have been sharing their experience to try and encourage more young people to consider it. India Rusbridge and Ryan Hallett are both former teachers and welcomed their foster son two years ago. And in football, it was a defeat for Gillingham in their latest pre-season fixture. They lost 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors match against Brentford B, hear reaction from manager Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A former Kent racecourse could be used to queue holidaymakers if there are major delays at the port of Dover or Eurotunnel. The site at Westenhanger near Hythe has been earmarked by the government as a holding area for up to a thousand tourist vehicles. It's amid fears new checks brought in as part of the European Union's Entry/Exit System could cause disruption this summer - and this weekend could be the busiest of the summer getaway. Hear from our reporter Alex Keir and the Lib Dems who're calling for EES to be suspended. Also in today's podcast, the family of a man who died following a battle with his mental health say he will 'stay in our hearts forever'. Flowers and balloons have been left on The Leas in Folkestone in memory of 30 year-old Wayne Edwards from Seabrook. Several wildfires have broken out in Kent following weeks of dry weather. It's as another yellow heat health alert comes into force today as temperatures rise again. The Conservatives have been ousted by Reform UK in a council by-election in Medway. Hear reaction from William Burvill who won the vote in the Cuxton, Halling and Riverside ward. Also on today's episode we've been told how six tonnes of electrical waste has been collected as part of a project in Kent to show children how it can be recycled. The e-waste warriors programme started in March last year and has also seen 3,600 students learn basic repair skills. If you're after something to do this summer, we've been finding out more about one of the world's biggest obstacle courses that's opened at a Kent shopping centre. The Monster is 300 metres long, has more than 40 obstacles to navigate and a mega slide and has taken over The Village car park at Bluewater. And finally, a Medway school's written and performed a special version of Frozen's Let It Go as part of a farewell for their lollipop lady. Karen Jones has helped pupils at Maundene Primary School cross the road for more than 30 years. Hear some of their tribute and from the lady herself. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A man has been taken to a London hospital with stab wounds following reports of an attack in Maidstone. Police and paramedics were called to Brenchley Gardens in the town centre yesterday evening. Also in today's episode, a Kent man has been telling us how he spent 19 hours in his wheelchair in a hospital reception after his patient transport failed to materialise. Kevin Taylor from Sheppey had an appointment at Medway On Call Care earlier this month, following concerns about sweeling to his left leg. But after he'd been seen by medics, he was left waiting to get home. A Kent pub boss is welcoming plans to cut business rates for some hospitality venues. Thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues will see a 20% reduction from next April. Hear from Phil Thorley who runs a number of venues in Thanet. Parents have staged a protest outside a school in Ashford calling for a bus service for pupils. They're worried that the current walking route to Chilmington Green isn't safe. The school currently has 274 pupils, but that's expected to increase to more than a thousand. A new £2.5 million enclosure has opened at a Kent animal park. Hear from bosses at Wingham near Canterbury who have plans to double in size over the next five years. And in sport, a Kent athlete is going to lead out Team England at today's opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Sian Honnor from Herne Bay will be competing in Bowls at her 5th Games in Glasgow. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Footage has revealed the moment an off-duty police officer pulled a woman's head towards the ground by her hair at a nightclub in Canterbury. PC Thomas Odell, 30, from Allhallows Road in Lower Stoke, lost his job following the assault outside the Cuban in February. Also in today's episode, the KentOnline Podcast has been told as many as 150 children in Swale could be without a secondary school place by September next year. Kent's assistant director of education has made the admission at a meeting of councillors and residents on Sheppey. It comes after more than 50 families on the Island were told last year their children would have to travel more than 20 miles to school in Faversham. Hear from a mum whose daughter has missed the whole of year 7. We've got a a special report on the website today from reporter Elli Hodgson who's spent a night with police to see how they tackle antisocial behaviour in Maidstone. She headed out with officers during the England versus Norway game at the World Cup. Football, and Gillingham have beaten Millwall in a pre-season friendly. They secured a 1-0 victory at Priestfield, thanks to a goal from new striker Will Goodwin. Hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth and defender Logan Dobbs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A teenager's told an inquest how she was trapped for three hours after the car she was in flipped into a ditch, killing her two friends near Sittingbourne. 17-year-old Adam Dudzinski was driving the vehicle, and drowned along with his girlfriend 16-year-old Chloe-Ann Naylor when the vehicle landed upside down in a ditch full of water on Old Ferry Road in Iwade on January 3rd. Also in today's podcast, a 28-year-old man's been charged with the murder of former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe. She was found at her home in Devon earlier this month after suffering serious injuries. The boss of a Kent homelessness charity has welcomed the new Prime Minister's pledge to end rough sleeping. Andy Burnham said it was his number one priority after getting the keys to Downing Street yesterday. Hear from the CEO of Canterbury-based Porchlight. A new conference centre has opened near Ashford, aiming to help people with learning disabilities get meaningful work. The site at Highlands Farm in Woodchurch will be used for training in things like catering, room set up and customers service. We've been speaking to Sarah Edwards, who's CEO of Canterbury Oast Trust. And in sport, boxer Moses Itauma and his brother are behind plans for a new gym in Chatham. The British heavyweight and Karol, who's a youth Olympic gold medallist, have joined forces with Anis Mehmeti, who plays for Ipswich Town and unbeaten featherweight boxing prospect Frankie Wood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The UK has got a new Prime Minister. Andy Burnham is taking over at Number 10 from Sir Keir Starmer and will be the country's seventh PM in just over a decade. He's promising to offer ‘breathing room’ over the cost-of-living and visited Gravesend just hours after becoming Labour leader on Friday. Hear what he had to say and you can also hear the thoughts of Medway Council leader Vince Maple. Also in today's episode, Year 13 students in Kent and those starting uni for the first time this autumn can now get the first dose of a Meningitis B vaccine. It's being made available following the deaths of two teenagers after an outbreak in Canterbury earlier this year. Pharmacies will be delivering the jabs. An art trail in Dartford has got underway to help raise funds for a Kent hospice. 30 decorated sculptures inspired by the classic book 'We're going on a bear hunt' have been placed around the town. 50 bear cubs created by local schools have also been located in museums, libraries and shops. A new indoor play centre for dogs has opened in Dartford. The Furry Funhouse is run by Jo Sloat, who's a former children's nurse, she's been telling us how she came up with the idea. And in sport, it was a narrow defeat for Gillingham in their latest pre-season friendly. They were beaten 1-0 by Charlton at Priestfield on Saturday. Hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Kent dad who's been told he has months to live after skin cancer spread to his brain is hoping to marry his long-term partner and take his family on one last holiday. Sam Street had been treated for melanoma, but collapsed shortly after moving into a new house in Newington near Sittingbourne earlier this month. A scan revealed the cancer had reached his brain and his case is terminal. Also on today's episode, plans to overhaul how councils are set up and run in Kent have taken a big step forward. It's now been confirmed that when the current 14 local authorities - including KCC and Medway Council - are scrapped, they'll be replaced with four unitary ones. There'll be known as north, east, west and mid. Hear from Simon Finlay from the Local Democracy Reporting Service, and Vince Maple who is the leader of Medway Council. Plans to turn an area of ancient woodland near Maidstone into a quarry have moved on. Bosses at Kent County Council want to use land at Oaken Wood in Barming to meet the growing demand for building materials. More than 26,000 people have objected and a protest was held outside County Hall yesterday. A water company's apologised after residents in a Kent village reported a water leak which hadn't been fixed for five weeks. It comes as South East Water customers are told not to use a hosepipe during the dry weather. And in sport, there's another pre-season game for Gillingham this weekend. They welcome Championship side Charlton Athletic to Priestfield tomorrow. It follows Tuesday night's 3-0 win at Dover which saw the Gills field different sides in each half. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Experts are urging parents in Kent to double check their children have had both doses of the MMR jab following a measles outbreak. Nine cases have been reported in the county since the start of the month. Vaccination rates in Kent are currently less than 83% which is much lower than the World Health Organisation recommended level of 95%. Also in today's episode, an Albanian national who's thought to have travelled to the UK each winter to burgle homes has been locked up for crimes committed in Kent. Gledis Uka, 30, was arrested after blood was found at the scene of break ins in Edenbridge and Sevenoaks - he was then linked to others including in Berkshire, Essex and Suffolk. You can also hear today from a woman from East Farleigh who never got to meet her dad, and his death remains one of the greatest mysteries of the second world war. Carol Lockwood has been sharing details from letters as she celebrates her 65th wedding anniversary. Pupils from schools across Kent are showing off projects they've been running over the past year to promote sustainability. Children and young people who go to Turner Schools in Folkestone, Dover and Canterbury have been taking part in things like beach cleans, gardening clubs, pond clearing and recycling. In sport, there's heartbreak for England as they've lost to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals. A second half goal from Anthony Gordon gave fans hope, but they went on to concede twice late on. We've got reaction from some fans who watched the game in Dover. And, Kent's head coach says he's felt the frustration of their poor T20 Blast campaign. The Spitfires failed to qualify for the knockout stages after several disappointing results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Football fever is gripping Kent ahead of England's World Cup semi final tonight. The Three Lions are taking on Argentina in Atlanta. We've been chatting to Darryl Haden who is the chief exec of the Kent FA. Also in today's podcast, we've got an update on the investigation into the death of former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe. In yesterday's episode we told you how anti-terror police are now leading the inquiry. They've now said 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe - who represented part of the county in parliament for 23 years - was killed in a targeted attack. We've also got more on South East Water's being told to spend more than £30 million on improvements following major outages in Kent. The regulator's been investigating the company and identified a number of failings. The cash will come from shareholders and won't affect customer bills. Hear from Lynn Parker from Ofwat. A new partnership is going to be set up in Kent to try and tackle the problem of flytipping. It's after the first conference of its kind in the county brought together councils, the Environment Agency, Kent Police and landowners. The girlfriend of a Kent Police officer who was killed on duty has told us he wouldn't believe she was doing a skydive in his memory. 27 year-old PC Bradley Corke died in a crash near Swanley while responding to an emergency in March. His partner and best friend are raising money for the Kent, Sussex and Surrey air ambulance that transported him to a hospital in London.  Bosses in Canterbury are considering introducing new powers to fine buskers if they make too much noise. The city council say they've received an increase in the number of complaints about amps being used by performers. We've been asking buskers what they think. And, Gillingham have been left with injury concerns after their pre-season friendly against Dover Athletic. The Gills won 3-0, with goals from Kadeem Harris, Louie Dayal and Sam Gale. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been confirmed today that work to remove the masts of a famous bomb ship that sank off Sheppey will get underway in September. The SS Richard Montgomery ran aground during the second world war and has 1,400 tonnes of explosives on board. The vessels masts can be see protruding from the water and will be taken to Chatham's historic dockyard to be preserved. Also in today's podcast, Andy Burnham says police must be given the 'space they need' to investigate the death of former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe. The incoming Prime Minister, who'll be confirmed as Labour leader on Friday, says the 78 year-old died in an 'appalling act of violence.' Meantime, a digital book of condolence has opened in Maidstone so Miss Widdecombe's former constituents can leave tributes. A Kent nightclub at the centre of a meningitis outbreak in Kent has been praised for the work it's done to raise aware of symptoms. Two young people died earlier this year with cases linked to Club Chemistry in Canterbury. Bosses there also called for a meningitis B vaccine to be rolled out - and year 13 pupils starting university this autumn can now get it. A leading Kent charity's told the podcast this summer has been incredibly dangerous for people who're sleeping rough. Temperatures in the county are expected to hit the high 20s again today. Hear from Canterbury-based Porchlight. And in sport, Gillingham are back in action tonight for their first pre-season friendly. They're travelling to take on Dover Athletic at The Crabble. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A man's due in court later charged with murder after a body was found in a suitcase in woodland near Rochester. Police were called to Borstal Recreation Ground on Friday and it's thought the victim was initially attacked in London. Hear from reporter Joe Crossley who has been covering the story. Detectives have been given more time to question a man arrested on suspicion of murdering former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe. The 28 year-old was arrested in Rotherham on Saturday night, 200 miles from her home in Dartmoor. A Kent MP has warned British holidaymakers could potentially die in 12-hour queues this summer, unless the EU suspends its new border checks. The Entry Exit System caused delays at Dover at the start of the May half-term and Herne Bay and Sandwich MP Sir Roger Gale is concerned ambulances will get blocked by traffic. A Medway woman's been chosen to help create a tiny book that's going to be sent to the Moon. The project will include pieces of work by international artists aiming to send a bit of Earth's culture into space. The Moon Bound Book is only one centimetre in size, and is due to blast off as part of a mission later this year. And in sport, football fans across Kent have been celebrating England reaching the World Cup semi-finals. Thomas Tuchel's side came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami on Saturday night. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former Kent MP Ann Widdecombe has died at the age of 78. She was the Conservative representative for Maidstone for 23 years, and famously appeared on Strictly in 2010. In recent years she became an advisor for Reform UK. Hear the time she appeared on the Kent Politics Podcast. Also on today's podcast, a report out today has raised concerns about 27-hour waiting times for A&E patients at a Kent hospital. Inspectors visited the William Harvey in Ashford in February, and found "unacceptable" overcrowding. Urgent and emergency care has been rated as requires improvement. Hear from the watchdog. It's a going to be a huge weekend for football fans in Kent as England play for a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup. The Three Lions take on Norway in the quarter finals tomorrow night. It's a 10pm kick off so pubs across the county are expected to be busy. We've been speaking to Superintendent Nick Sparkes from Kent Police. A Kent tourist attraction has been chosen as part of a campaign by English Heritage to bring back postcards. They've gathered 800 historical prints of Dover Castle dating back to 1906 while illustrators Nick Sharrat and Sir Quentin Blake have also designed three limited edition postcards that can be collected at 18 historical sites across the country. And in sport, Kent's Women are in action at their first T20 Blast League Two Finals Day. They're playing Gloucestershire in the semi-final at Cardiff on Sunday after qualifying second in their group. The winner will the face Group winners Glamorgan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A top human rights lawyer says she is convinced one of Kent’s most notorious killers is innocent and should have his conviction quashed. Michael Stone was jailed for murdering Lin Russell and her daughter Megan in a brutal attack in Chillenden in 1996, but has always denied being responsible. Also in today's episode, a major route has been partially shut due to a serious collision involving a lorry and a female pedestrian. Police were called to the A20 Snargate Street in Dover in the early hours of this morning. A Rochester man who physically and mentally abused a woman - then hid in a fridge to try and avoid being arrested - has been jailed. A court was told 33-year-old Dean Foord cut his victim off from friends and family, controlled her social media and threatened her with a knife. A primary school in Ashford has become the first in Kent to start a digital detox for pupils in Year 6. Children at Great Chart have volunteered to trade their smart phones for a basic Nokia for a week in an attempt to tackle screen addiction. And, audiences are being promised a West End-style experience when a Kent theatre finally reopens. The Orchard in Dartford has undergone a 28 million pound revamp after closing three years ago following the discovery of potentially dangerous RAAC concrete was found in the roof. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With an amber heat health alter coming into force for Kent today, a farmer says the warm weather could be disastrous for this year's harvest. We're into our third heatwave of the summer with temperatures again in the 30s. There's hardly been any rain either. Hear from Jos Jones who runs a farm near Meopham and has been speaking to Lucy. Also in today's podcast, the Reform UK leader of Kent County Council says she supports Nigel Farage's decision to trigger a by-election in Clacton. He's standing down and will run to re-gain his seat following scrutiny over undeclared donations. He denies any wrongdoing, and was pitching the vote as a “people versus the establishment” contest. The boss of a pub near Faversham fears her family could end up losing their home if the road outside is closed for major water works. South East Water want to shut Head Hill Road in Graveney for up to five months to replace 700 metres of water main. Reporter Max Chesson has been speaking to Katrina Goater who runs The Four Horseshoes. And, a former Kent MP says a new facility in Maidstone will help people who use prosthetics turn their lives around. The centre has been specially designed to support more than a thousand patients across the county who've lost a limb, and get them on the road to recovery. Hear from Craig Mackinlay who lost his hands and feet to sepsis. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Kent singer who featured on the hit song Party Rock Anthem has died at the age of 36. Lauren Bennett was born in Meopham, and appeared on the X-Factor as a teenager. Also in today's podcast, two people have been arrested during a crackdown on organised crime across Kent. One man was detained in Dartford on suspicion of modern slavery offences, while another near Sevenoaks was wanted for theft. Police have been telling us more about the operation. As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, a Kent man has revealed how he lost everything after becoming addicted. Trevor Smith started drinking when he was about 15 and only noticed he had a problem after getting married in his early 20s. He ended up in hospital and then went to live at the Kenward Trust rehab centre in Yalding. It's been revealed hundreds of corner shops and takeaways in Kent have government licences to recruit 'skilled workers' from abroad. Home Office data shows 2,000 businesses and organisations in the county hold what's known as a visa sponsor licence. Local Democracy Reporter Dan Esson is on the podcast to explain the figures in more detail. And, the parents of a Kent paramedic have said they want his legacy to be that of saving lives after they unveiled the first defibrillator funded in his memory. 28 year-old Ryan O’Bray, who worked at Sheppey Ambulance Station in Queenborough for seven years, was fighting depression and anxiety when he died in July 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A mum-of-two from Deal who was stalked by her ex-partner says she's worried he won't stop, after a judge said he was powerless to send him to prison. Hugh Kennedy subjected Vicky Mickford to four months of harassment after their five-year relationship ended. The 63-year-old from Sandown Road has been given a restraining order. Hear from reporter Millie Bowles who has been covering the story. Also in today's episode, we've been hearing more about how Pride in Place funding could be spent on Sheppey. The east end of the island is getting a £20 million cash injection as it's one of Kent's most deprived wards. Local resident Garry Ratcliffe is chair of a board that's been set up to oversee the project and has been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley. Plans to transform one of Kent's most iconic seafront buildings into a 'Barbican by the Sea' have been unveiled. The Grand, on The Leas in Folkestone, opened in 1903 and has been owned by a group of local residents since 2022. Next, and our sister radio station, kmfm, has started a collection to help tackle food poverty this summer. It's the fourth year they've run the Tonnes of Tins campaign. Your generous donations will be sent to a number of charities across Kent to help families who're struggling. In sport, Kent have suffered back-to-back losses in the T20 Blast... They were beaten by Hampshire Hawks in Southampton after falling 19 runs short of the hosts score of 190, following an 83-run defeat to Worcestershire Rapids on Friday night. Hear from captain Sam Billings. And Gillingham have signed two goalkeepers. 20-year-old Lennon MacLorg, who's a lifelong Gills fan, was most recently part of Charlton's under-21 set-up. He's joined as a back-up to new first-choice keeper Ollie Wright - who's signed on a season-long loan from Southampton. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of another heat health alert coming into force tomorrow, there is a warning not enough is being done to protect care workers in Kent during the hot weather. The UNISON union is concerned about staff who are trying to care for people in the scorching temperatures. Also in today's episode, an Ashford woman who grew up in Venezuela has told us the devastation in her country following a double earthquake is hard to comprehend. Tingy Simoes Lopez is collecting emergency kit to help rescuers as tens of thousands of people are still missing. Donations can be dropped off at the Free Shop in Ashford. Thousands of veterans in Kent are set to benefit from more support after a new centre opened in Aylesford. The facility at the Royal British Veterans Enterprises is part of a new programme designed to give ex-service people easier access to health, housing and employment. A Margate nightclub has had its licence suspended following complaints from neighbours about noise. A meeting has been told Fusion in Cliff Terrace has repeatedly violated terms which allowed it to stay open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Thousands of people are expected at the showground in Detling over the next few days as the Kent County Show takes place... This year's event is also coinciding with another heatwave. And in football, the Gillingham manager has told us he pleased with their summer signings so far. They club has been on a recruitment drive after 16 players left the squad at the end of their last campaign. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The owners of a boat trip service in Maidstone have called for action to tackle anti-social behaviour after they were targeted with rocks and bottles. The couple, who run Kentish Lady Cruises, have also reported being abused while out on the river in the town. Hear from Reporter Davina Jethwa who has been covering this story. Also in today's podcast, another heat health alert has been issued for Kent ahead of what's expected to be a scorching weekend. Temperatures could hit 30 degrees and the yellow health warning will be in force from Saturday until next Wednesday. We've been speaking to Dr Carl Wright who is a climate expert from Canterbury. The chairman of a Kent football club is planning to get a tattoo as part of a fundraising campaign for a coach who has pancreatic cancer. Paul Squires is hoping to go to Portugal for live-saving treatment, but needs 55-thousand pounds to pay for it. He volunteers at Hempstead Valley FC - along with Steve Tye, who's agreed to get the club's badge inked on his leg. And, artwork and toy models found by the family of the Kent co-creator of Bagpuss are going up for auction. They've been discovered at Peter Fermin's home near Canterbury which is being cleared before it's sold. His daughter Katy Firmin has been speaking to reporter Gerry Warren. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A mum has called for “empathy, support and safe spaces” for the trans community following the death of her teenage daughter. Sigrid Taylor was born in Ashford and went to school in Canterbury before relocating to America with her family when she was 7. The 19 year-old had moved back to Herne Bay about a year before her death and a fundraiser's been set up to pay for a headstone. Also in today's podcast, dozens of pupils are having to find a different school to go to in September after a new one near Thanet failed to get approval in time. It was hoped Turner Schools Carbon 6 Pathway would be able to start teaching at Discovery Park in Sandwich at the beginning of the new academic year, but paperwork is still being looked over by the Department for Education. A new art installation has gone on show in Canterbury, featuring poems by schoolboys about wellbeing and masculinity. Year 8 pupils have been exploring themes of stereotypes, role models and belonging in sessions run by the Uni of Kent. An interactive artwork honouring Len Goodman is being unveiled in Dartford later. The former Strictly judge ran a dance school in the town before passing away in 2023. A series of footprints has now been put on the pavement outside - encouraging people to follow dance steps. And, Children in Kent who've missed out on seeing England play in the World Cup so far will finally get to watch them later. Today's match against DR Congo kicks off at the earlier time of 5pm. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A major review into NHS maternity services has found the system is not fit to consistently deliver high-quality care and requires urgent reform. It's been led by Baroness Amos in a bid to drive urgent improvements. Families who'd received treatment at East Kent Hospitals were among those who contributed to the report. They reported that maternity care is still “fragmented” - but staff say morale has improved. Hear from a mum whose baby was stillborn at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. Also in today's podcast, a leading Kent politician has told us Andy Burnham is the right man to lead the country and reform how local government works. The former Manchester Mayor has been setting out his plans if he becomes Prime Minister - including transferring some power away from Whitehall. Hear from Vince Maple who is the Labour leader of Medway Council. Teachers and support staff at Kent's biggest school are beginning another three days of strike action. Members of the National Education Union have criticised restructuring plans at Homewood in Tenterden, which will lead to job losses and pay cuts. A Kent homelessness charity has welcomed news that rough sleeping is no longer a crime. The government has got rid of something known as the Vagrancy Act which was brought in more than 200 years ago to punish people for not having a home. Hear from Chris Thomas from Canterbury based Porchlight. And, you're being given the chance to nominate who you think should get a top sporting award in Medway. Previous winners including Olympic gold medallist Nathan Hayes, wheelchair rugby coach Tom Coyd and England rugby captain Rachael Burford. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our top story today is developing news regarding a major emergency response in Headcorn. People living on Lenham Road have told us they heard lots of sirens at about 5pm yesterday. Police and ambulance crews had arrived at the scene and set up a cordon, with other motorists being turned away. Also in today's podcast, a man in his 30s has been seriously injured after a stabbing outside a pub in Maidstone. He was taken to a London hospital after a police were called to the the High Street near The Stag. It's hoped a new college campus in Margate with courses in animation and visual effects will help tackle the youth unemployment problem. A state-of-the-art digital campus has opened in the old M&S building on the High Street. Meantime, a play based on teenagers' real experiences with social media is being performed by students in Canterbury later. Generation FOMO uses direct quotes from interviews with young people about some of the issues they face online. Meantime - the podcast has been hearing about the importance of providing activities for teenagers in Kent when that social media ban comes into force. The government's planning to stop under-16s using apps like Instagram and Snapchat next year. And, Kent have bounced back from Friday's defeat with a victory over Hampshire in the T20 Blast. Daniel Bell-Drummond scored 54 runs and the Spitfires reached their victory target of 177 with eight balls to spare. Hear from Captain Sam Billings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Kent woman fears her son could be left without either of his parents unless she's able to travel abroad for cancer treatment. Candice Powell from Swanley was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2019 following a smear test. After treatment, she was given the all clear the following year, but started to feel unwell in May 2025. The 39 year-old has been sharing her story. Also in today's podcast, the ambulance service covering Kent say they've seen a 20% increase in calls this week because of the hot weather. A red warning for extreme heat is in force across the county today, with temperatures set to hit the mid-30s again. Hear from Nakai Redman from SECAmb. We're also being urged to make sure dogs in Kent stay safe in the hot weather by keeping them out of the sun during the day. Owners have been told to avoid walking them unless it's very early in the morning or late evening. Footage has been released of the moment a van driver helped armed police chase a suspect in Thanet. Officers had been called to reports of a serious assault at a property in the High Street last week. A witness has come forward to support a claim from a Kent businessman that he was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. Simon Edgecombe is trying to clear his name, more than 40 years after serving a sentence over how finances were handled at a Post Office in Rainham. Thousands of people are expected at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham this weekend for Armed Forces Day. Serving military personnel will join cadets and veterans at the event. Hear from Medway Council leader Vince Maple. And in sport, Gillingham fans can start preparing for the new season because the fixtures are out. Their league two campaign will kick off on August 15, hear from our Gills reporter Luke Cawdell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A young woman from Gravesend has been charged with murder after a man was found dead in Dubai. 23-year-old Brooke George, who's an influencer on TikTok, is being held in custody. She's accused of killing a 26 year-old but claims to have been acting in self-defence following a violent assault. Hear from senior reporter Joe Crossley who has been following the story. Also in today's podcast, firefighters in Kent say they can't rule out strike action, as they fight plans to close some on-call stations. Changes to the service are being discussed at a meeting in Maidstone today, and the Fire Brigades Union is holding a rally outside. Lucy has been chatting to Danny Barrett who is the Kent secretary for the Fire Brigades Union. As a red warning for 'extreme heat' remains in force, the hot, dry conditions have led to South East Water bringing in a hosepipe ban. Customer are being told not to use them for filling up swimming or paddling pools and watering gardens, as demand across the network has been 'exceptionally high'. We've got reaction from Jonathan Hawker who is from campaign group Dry Wells Action. Advice to only travel by train in Kent if it's absolutely necessary during the hot weather has also been extended. Southeastern is urging customers to try and avoid using the network until the end of Friday. And in sport, we'll find out today who Gillingham will be playing in their first game of the new season. The league two fixtures are out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A red warning for extreme heat has come into force in part of Kent on what could be the hottest day of the year so far. This is only the second time the most severe alert has been issued. Some schools in the county have decided to stay closed today, while others are shutting early as temperatures could reach around 35c. Hear from Kent's deputy director of public health. Meantime, dispersal orders have been put in place across Thanet to try and stop antisocial behaviour on the coast. Police have been given extra powers to break up groups of people in Ramsgate, Margate, Westgate and Broadstairs. It follows trouble when hundreds of young people gathered during last month's heatwave. Also on today's episode, students from every secondary school in Gravesham are getting together for a Youth Summit today. They'll be discussing topics including the upcoming social media ban and concerns about young people who are not in work education or training. We've been speaking to one of the organisers. And, a former bowling alley in Kent that's been empty since Covid has been transformed into a pool and darts club. Neptune Sports Lounge has opened on the former Tommy Holland’s amusements site at Beachfields in Sheerness. Reporter Joe Crossley has been along for a look and has spoken to owner Charlie Minter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new poll's found one in four people in Kent who voted for Brexit would now back Remain if the referendum was held again. More than 1,300 residents across the county have been asked for their opinion 10 years on from the vote. Back then, 59% of people in Kent chose to leave the EU, according to the survey 57% would now vote to stay. We've been speaking to people across the county and also have the thoughts of the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, and a man leading a Rejoin campaign. Also on today's podcast, a day after Sir Keir Starmer announced he was quitting as Prime Minister, some Labour MPs are considering whether to make a bid to replace him. So far, the only candidate is Andy Burnham who was sworn in yesterday as MP for Makerfield following a by-election last week. We've been asking some of Kent's MPs if they think he would be the right man for the job. Away from politics, and England fans are getting ready for the country's second group game at the World Cup - and a huge screen has been set up to show it in Margate. Thomas Tuchel's side are taking on Ghana. The Drill Shed is based in the historic Lido in the Cliftonville part of town and has a capacity of 750 people. And in sport, Kent have won their latest game in the county championship. They beat Middlesex by 49 runs on the final day of action at Canterbury. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to resign as Prime Minister. Speaking outside Downing Street, he said he was proud of everything he had achieved since taking over as head of the Labour Party six years ago. He's confirmed a leadership contest will be held over the summer. Lucy's been getting reaction from local democracy reports Simon Finlay and Robert Boddy. Also on today's episode, with another amber heat health alert in force across Kent, a campaign is underway to keep us safe by the water. Temperatures are expected to hit the mid 30s this week, and it's feared some could head to a river to cool off. Kent Search and Rescue volunteers have started their Safe and Dry campaign and will be patrolling the River in Maidstone. The boss of a Kent pub chain says hospitality businesses could be the key to tackling youth unemployment, if they get help from the government. Phil Thorley runs a number of sites in Thanet, and is backing a campaign calling for VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%. We've also been to Dover where our reporter has been hearing how the High Street is thriving. While there are empty shops in other parts of the town - a stretch of the A256 is home to a growing number of independent businesses, community project and creative venture. And in sport, Gillingham have completed the signing of a new defender. Liam Gordon, who has played all of his professional career in Scotland to date, has made the move to Priestfield. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Residents have raised concerns about a motorway slip road near Faversham being closed for several weeks as part of a house building project. Developer Redrow is currently building an estate in the town known as Preston Fields. At the moment, access to the site is via Canterbury Road along the A2, however, they're going to create a second entrance via Ashford Road. Once complete, it will be situated a few hundred metres from Junction 6 of the M2 but while the work takes place, the coastbound slip road will be shut. Also in today's podcast, a man who made £185,000 from smuggling people from the UK to France has been jailed. Jaskirat Singh was arrested and charged after officers found 11 Indian nationals hiding in the trailer of a lorry at Dover in December 2024. A mum from Leybourne who lost her baby is fundraising for a memorial garden to help other grieving families. 18 months after her son Dexter was born sleeping, Emily Rollinson is pushing to create the 'safe space' at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Historian David Starkey has given KentOnline a tour of his Kent home as he prepares to sell up after more than 20 years. The Georgian house in Barham near Canterbury is Grade II listed, has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, four reception rooms, a bespoke library and about three-quarters of an acre of mature gardens. It's on the market for £1.85million. Finally, a tennis tournament with a difference is taking place near Ashford this weekend. The sunrise to sunset game is happening at Wye tennis club to raise money for two charities. Hear from a coach there who will be playing for 17 hours. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.