KentOnline

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 h...

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 lorr...

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...

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....

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...

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 e...

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...

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 po...

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...

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 Ma...

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 podcas...

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, firefigh...

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...

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 th...

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 ano...

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 situate...

A mum has criticised a private school's decision to throw hundreds of books into a skip . They were spotted by Becky outside the King's School in Rochester, and she says she was "horrified" - but bosses have defended the decision. Also in today's episode, campaigners say they are disappointed plans for homes on a former school site in Hythe have been given the go ahead. The estate will include a m...

Kent's biggest school is closed today as teachers and support staff go on strike. They're walking out over six days between now and July 2nd in a dispute over compulsory job losses at Homewood in Tenterden. It's after plans to move the school to a new trust fell through earlier this year. Hear from the local National Education Union rep and a teacher who is on the picket line. Also in today's epis...

The family of a Chatham man who's been detained by immigration agents in the US say they're desperate to reunite him with his wife and twin sons. 29-year-old Connor Read was in the process of applying for a green card when he was taken to an ICE detention centre . It's understood a removal order had been activated because he didn't have the correct visa. Reporter Joe Crossley has been speaking to...

It's been announced under-16s are going to be banned from using social media. Sites like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will be off limits , in a bid to protect young people from online harms. The Prime Minister says he's giving kids their childhood back - we've got reaction from Rochester-based social media consultant Zoe Cairns. Also on today's episode, the boss of a Canterbury bar that was forc...

After a deadly outbreak of meningitis in Kent earlier this year, a one-off vaccination programme's being offered to help protect Year 13 pupils across England. Two young people died after falling ill from the disease in March which was linked to a nightclub in Canterbury. Under 25s starting Uni for the first time are also being offered two doses of the MenB jab. Also in today's episode, a 91 year-...

A Kent mum whose son has a rare genetic condition affecting his mobility says it's 'ridiculous' she's been denied a blue badge. Two year-old Ronnie, who lives in Paddock Wood, has been diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Mum Charlotte Jenner says it's dangerous trying to get him in and out of a vehicle if she can't park in a designated space. South East Water have agreed to double the amount...

A Kent man who was sent to prison after being prosecuted by the Post Office is trying to clear his name after hearing about the Horizon scandal. Simon Edgecombe was convicted after selling a van to a staff member who took money from the till to cover the cost back in 1983. He says there was paperwork to prove it was a legitimate transaction, but he was found guilty by a jury and locked up for 12 m...

A West Malling man who threatened members of his own family and tried to attack one after smashing in to their home has been jailed. A court's been told how Dane May carried out a relentless campaign against his mum and two siblings, including League One footballer Alfie May. The 38-year-old from Edington Way has been locked up for more than seven years and will spend a further three on licence wh...

Bosses in Ashford have launched an investigation into a new-build estate in the town following complaints from residents. People living in homes on Nightingale View in Hamstreet have reported cracked footpaths , dead trees and patchy, dying grass. The developer insists it's working on a plan to get the area up to scratch, while the council say they're looking at whether any planning breaches have...