KentOnline

Seven people have been injured, two of them seriously, following an explosion at a house in Ashford.
The blast happened just before 8am and led to a large fire.
Hear from our reporter at the scene, a neighbour who heard it happen and a commander from Kent Fire and Rescue.
Also in today’s podcast, we’re being urged to light candles tonight in memory of PCSO Julia James a week after her body was found near woodland close to her home.
A murder investigation is continuing and police have been carrying out road checks in Snowdown.
A Kent boy who had to have both of his legs amputated as a baby has achieved another incredibly challenge – to walk without the use of his crutches.
Olly Alexander from Years & Years has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm.
And we hear from cricketer Grace Gibbs after another good weekend in T20 action for Kent’s women.

Police have spoken for the first time about the murder of PCSO Julia James.
The 53 year-old was found in a remote area of countryside not far from her home on Tuesday – she’d suffered severe head injuries.
Hear from Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards and our reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks who’s in Snowdown.
Also in today’s podcast, the RAC are predicting the roads will be much busier this bank holiday following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Find out from Oliver Kemp which beach in Kent seems to be a great inspiration for musicians around the world.
And Gillingham midfielder Stuart O’Keefe chats about of their penultimate game of the season against Burton Albion this weekend. 

Tributes have been paid to a Kent PCSO who was killed while walking her dog not far from her home.A murder investigation is under way after Julia James was discovered on Tuesday near woodland in Snowdown.
Our reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks has spent another day there speaking to residents who say they are worried to go out alone.Also in today’s podcast, it’s going to be illegal for under 18s to have Botox or cosmetic fillers after a bill brought by the Sevenoaks MP was passed.We hear from a member of the LGBT+ community who says they feel they have to ‘blend in’ to avoid being a victim of hate crime.Statistics given to the Podcast also reveal how many times police dealt with cases over the past three years.And the people who want to be Kent’s police and crime commissioner will take part in a special hustings tonight – hear from our political editor Paul Francis.

A major investigation is under way after the body of a serving police officer was found in a quiet hamlet.
53-year-old Julia James, who was a PCSO, was discovered in a field near Snowdown yesterday afternoon.
Officers have confirmed her death is being treated as suspicious.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s yet another reminder for younger people to take up the offer of a Covid vaccine.
We speak to the man who spent six years parking in every single space in the car park of his local Sainsbury’s in Bromley.
And in sport, hear from reporter Luke Cawdell on Dover Athletic going part-time.

A man who spat in a woman’s face and another who smashed a bottle over a shopkeeper’s head in Margate have avoided being sent to prison.Canterbury Crown Court reporter Sean Axtell joins Nicola Everett on the podcast to chat through the case, why it took so long to get to court and why the judge decided not to lock the pair up.
Also in today’s episode, hear from the Kent MP who says Iran is holding a mother ‘hostage’ after Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed for another year.Even more of you are now able to get the Covid vaccine in Kent as the age is lowered to include those who are 42 and older.Football clubs and organisations are planning a social media blackout this weekend in protest at hate messages and trolling – but will it work? Hear from social media expert Zoe Cairns from Rochester.The name of a new tower block in Ashford has finally been revealed.And in sport, Dover Athletic will be going part-time next season.

A Chatham couple say they are the victims of a two year hate campaign because of their body art.
Tattooists Paul and Annie Riggs have previously had the tyres on their cars let down and recently had graffiti spray painted on their front wall.
They have spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about how it’s making them feel.
Also in today’s episode, funds are being raised in Kent to help those in India following a huge surge in Covid cases.
A Thanet food bank which helps hundreds of households each week is desperately looking for a new venue.
The Margate Independent Food Bank needs to vacate its current site by the end of this week and fears having to suspend services if they can’t find a new premises.
There’s going to be a pink supermoon in Kent this week – we’ve got the details on the best day to see it.
And, we hear from a frustrated Gillingham boss following their 2-2 draw with Northampton at the weekend.

The founder of an animal sanctuary near Sittingbourne says she’s disappointed at the threat of a £2,500 fine following a complaint about noisy cockerels.
The Happy Pants Ranch has provided a home to hundreds of unwanted or abandoned animals and recently moved to a new site.
Despite being in the middle of the countryside, the council have been in touch to say people have complained about clucking and crowing.
We hear from founder Amey James.
Also in today’s podcast, Medway Council has been criticised after a mum and her teenage son were left homeless during the pandemic – we’ve been speaking to the Ombudsman.
A Canterbury woman has described the moment a volcano erupted leaving her stranded on a Caribbean island.
And, despite Covid restrictions still being in place – St George’s Day has been celebrated in Kent.

The tragic story of a woman who fell 90ft down a hole that opened up beneath her feet is told in today’s podcast.
Jean Thompson had been walking her young son to see his grandmother back in 1967.
She disappeared when the huge void opened up and her body was never recovered.
Hear from our reporter Chris Britcher who’s been researching the story.
Also in today’s podcast – a man’s been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was stabbed in Gravesend.
We speak to the Trussell Trust as figures today show a big increase in the number of emergency food parcels being handed out in Kent.
A man who was told to pay £1,000 by someone claiming to have his missing dog issues a warning to pet owners.
And a YouTuber who moved to Kent after suddenly being made homeless has spoken of having to spend months apart from his beloved exotic animals.

A man who has lived on land near Maidstone for more than 30 years has been ordered to clear the site after being accused of turning it into a rubbish dump.
Langley Beck has been caught up in a legal dispute with the local council.
This week they secured a High Court injunction which gives him six months to clear the 14-hectares of land – he also can’t live there anymore.
Hear from our reporter Katie Heslop who visited Mr Beck at the site he’s called home since the 1980s.
Also in today’s podcast – Network Rail has been fined almost £700,000 after a worker was badly burned in a fire at a substation.
Hear from the Kent MP who will be leading a review into how football is run following the collapse plans for a European Super League.
And, the Gillingham boss reacts to their win over title chasing Peterborough United in league one.

There’s more reaction in Kent today to the idea of a European Super League.
Kent MP Tracey Crouch has been drafted in to carry out a football review after the plans angered many clubs and fans.
The Prime Minister has even stepped in today saying he could change the law to block it.
We hear from the manager of non-league Chatham Town and former chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, Folkestone’s Damian Collins.
Also in today’s podcast – a lorry driver reacts to news that Operation Brock and its 50mph limit on the M20 is going.
Is the International Baccalaureate better than A levels? We speak to the headteacher of Rochester Grammar, students and someone who did it as a survey finds the majority of year 10 – 13s think the current exam system is outdated.
Find out where in Kent could become home to one of Europe’s fastest rollercoasters.
And, we look ahead to Gillingham’s game against Peterborough United in league one.