Local News

Restaurant training hub and listed building works among latest planning applications
Plans for a new hospitality and training venue and a listed building conversion are among the latest applications lodged with the district council.

Local messages

Statue of town’s saint restored after being left headless in vandal attack
A sculpture left headless for more than a year after vandals attacked it has been restored to its former glory.


Where to watch fireworks light up Kent’s skies this November
Find the best Bonfire Night events across Kent, with fireworks, funfairs, food and family entertainment.

Get Weekly Updates
Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

‘I’d been in same job for 50 years - then dreamt up new career over a pint!’
A pensioner has proved it’s never too late to try something new - after dreaming up an idea to open a cafe while enjoying a pint with his pal.


Tommy Robinson ‘stopped by police in Kent driving Bentley with thousands in cash’
Police were suspicious of Robinson's "vague replies" about what he was doing and demanded access to his iPhone


Seaside attraction to show horror classics on the big screen
Grab the popcorn and enjoy family frights and heart-pounding horror at a free outdoor cinema.


‘It’s turning the M20 into a lorry park and it’s got to stop’
An MP is urging people to join a protest against Operation Brock - as motorists are fed up with the M20 being turned into a “lorry park”.


Tommy Robinson in court over charge under Terrorism Act after Channel Tunnel incident
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has appeared in court for trial after an incident at the Channel Tunnel.


‘It's an attack on democracy!’ Anger over new alcohol licensing plan
Plans to make it harder for people to know when new pubs, bars or nightclubs want to open or extend their hours have been branded “deplorable”.


Spine-tingling nights out for grown-ups this Halloween
From haunted tours to horror films and masquerade parties, here are Kent’s top Halloween events for adults.


‘It’s going to be huge - people don’t really know what to expect’
Many holidaymakers still have little idea what to expect as the EU’s long-awaited new border system comes into force today.


‘He gave his heart and soul to the town which he loved with a passion’
A former district and town councillor who “gave his heart and soul” to the community for decades has died.


Man jailed after stepping foot in Co-op and Ashford Designer Outlet
Jesse Barton was issued a Criminal Behaviour Order


Two Kent sites earmarked as holding areas in event of EU border system issues
A new EU border system is being introduced on Sunday


Works to close Kent train stations this weekend including Sittingbourne, Rainham and Folkestone
The autumn timetable also comes into effect this weekend


Rats pictured running around ‘most miserable park in the world’
A small children’s play area blighted by rats, dog mess and rubbish has been branded “the most miserable park in the world”.


40 live acts announced for autumn music festival
The two-day festival aims to support grassroots venues and independent artists in the local area.


Supermodel with 2 million Instagram followers leads catwalk at Kent castle
A supermodel and a world-famous fashion designer with more than four million Instagram followers between them put on a stunning show at a Kent castle.


Spitfire pilot makes emergency landing in Kent after vintage part fails
A Spitfire pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in Kent after a decades-old fuel system part caused the engine to shut down.


New post-Brexit border systems may not be working ahead of launch
New post-Brexit border systems requiring non-EU citizens to provide biometric information might not be working, despite a planned launch this week.
