KentOnline

People are being urged not to swim in the sea at a Kent beach because of concerns about the water quality.Checks at St Mary’s Bay have been carried out by the Environment Agency – our reporter Rhys Griffiths has the full details.
Also in today’s podcast, a taxi driver from Chatham who helped smuggle Vietnamese people into the UK has avoided going to prison.They were brought across the Channel in lorries and driven to the West Midlands.A young Kent woman has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about the lasting impact having explicit pictures leaked on socials has had on her life.Eleanor – which isn’t her real name – was just 14 when her ex-boyfriend posted the images online without her consent. Hear her story.The man in charge of the union representing rail workers in Kent has told our colleagues at KMTV they’re no closer to a deal which would end strike action.Services in Kent have been brought to a standstill over recent months by members of the RMT walking out. Hear from general secretary Mick Lynch.People living in part of Rainham say they’re furious as even more rubbish is being added to the mountains of fly tipping outside their homes.Mattresses, microwaves and car parts are just some of the items dumped outside garages on Scott Avenue.A lack of lifeguards at a Kent swimming pool has led to the diving boards, rapids, slides and teaching pools being regularly closed.Visitors to Maidstone Leisure Centre at Mote Park say they’re disappointed at still having to pay the same entry fee. We’ve got a statement from the company that runs the facility.And in sport, Gillingham midfielder Olly Lee has announced he’s retiring after struggling with arthritis.The 31 year-old has thanked fans for their support, but say his body won’t allow him to “perform to the levels” he’s capable of.

Security has been brought in at a Hobbycraft store in Kent after staff and customers were targeted by a group of young people.
Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who has been speaking to staff at the shop in Maidstone.
Also in today’s podcast, hear how virtual wards are helping to reduce bed blocking at Kent’s biggest hospital.
Delays in discharging patients can often have a knock-on effect – meaning people who’ve been taken to A&E struggle to be admitted to a ward.
Now tech has been brought in to monitor patients at home, rather than keeping them at Medway Maritime. Reporter John Nurden has been speaking to a nurse there.
As another earthquake hits Turkey, we’re told about fears for the tourism economy in the country.
A Maidstone firefighter has revealed how stopping to have a conversation saved another man’s life…
Sam has spoken out as the Samaritans launch a campaign encouraging all of us to have a chat with someone if we’re worried about them.
A restaurant run by a celebrity chef in Folkestone is closing after just six months, as the cost of living crisis continues to impact businesses.
Mark Sargeant set up The Brasserie MS last August, but says “tough trading conditions” mean they can no longer operate. Louis Walker has the details.
And find out which part of Kent has been named the dog waste capital of the county.

Three people have been taken to hospital following an explosion at a flat in East Malling.The suffered burns and breathing difficulties after it happened last night. Hear from our reporter Ben Austin at the scene.
Also in today’s podcast, people living in rural parts of Kent fear they’ll be isolated as bus cuts come into force today.Kent County Council has axed several services as it looks to balance the budget by £2.2 million. Hear from a mum who has had to arrange a taxi to take her son to and from school.A Kent MP says he’s considering his future after being rejected as the Conservatives’ candidate for a new constituency.Our political editor Paul Francis explains how the Weald of Kent seat will be added at the next general election.There’s anger over plans to ban fishing in part of Kent where it’s been a popular and much needed activity for many over the last 25 years.People using the moat at Park Farm in Ashford say they’ve formed a community there which has helped lots of people through dark times.Hear from those who use the site, the parish council and what the local authority has to say.A teenager from Sittingbourne’s been telling the KentOnline Podcast what it’s like to be a young carer for her mum and brother who both have epilepsy.Nicole Baxter was just seven when she started learning about the condition, and was taught what to do in an emergency.The new landlords of a Medway pub say they want to give it back to the community.David Carroll and Emma Smith took over The Angel in Rainham just before Christmas, and are planning a £185,000 refurbishment next month.And in sport, it was another win for Gillingham at the weekend as their bid to avoid relegation from league two continues.Hear from manager Neil Harris following the 2-0 victory over Rochdale.

A Medway mum claims to have been held hostage at a petrol station because she was unable to pay for her fuel.
Odette Browning says she called police after a shop worker at the Esso garage on Watling Street in Gillingham refused to let her go.
Our reporter who wrote the story for KentOnline explains the full details.
It could be a busy weekend at the Port of Dover as strikes by border force officers are expected to cause delays.
They’re walking out for the next four days over pay, just as thousands of families return home from half-term trips abroad.
Hear from Kent-based company Holiday Extras about how people can manage the potential disruption.
A woman from Kent features as an extra in a new music video, starring a Game of Thrones actor, aiming to raise awareness of MS. 
The life-long condition can cause fatigue, problems with balance and vision, and sometimes serious disability.
Amy Hinds from Dartford has been campaigning to highlight what it’s like to live with, since being diagnosed seven years ago.
And in sport, it’s another big game for Gillingham this weekend as they try to avoid falling back into the League Two relegation zone.
The Gills are away to bottom-of-the-table Rochdale – hear from the manager.

A huge entertainment venue hosting West End shows, music concerts and opera could be built in Ashford.
The ambitious plans would see the Vicarage Lane car park and former Mecca Bingo Hall transformed into a 3,000-capacity facility known as Ashford Live.
Multi-millionaire Paul Gregg –  a former director of Everton Football Club – is behind the proposal and has been telling us his vision.
Elsewhere, a vigil’s been held on Herne Bay seafront to remember a mother and daughter who were found dead in a burger van in Whitstable.
Leah Churchill and 17 year-old Brooke Wanstall are thought to have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning after turning on a generator.
Tyla – who found his mum and sister’s bodies – has spoken to us.
And, parents in part of Ashford have started a campaign to improve safety at a park they’ve described as “dangerous” for children.
£400,000 was spent on renovating the playground at Central Park in Park Farm last year.
But a local dad has told us he’s worried someone will get hurt – if changes aren’t made.

Tributes are being paid to a mother and daughter who’ve died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Whitstable.
Leah Churchill and 17 year-old Brooke Wanstall helped run a burger van business, and were found dead in the vehicle off the Old Thanet Way yesterday morning.
Our reporter tells us the details after speaking exclusively to a family member.
Residents of a flood prone town near Maidstone have told the KentOnline Podcast they’re choosing to stay and face future risk instead of moving to higher ground.
Yalding is located between three rivers and is one of the county’s most at-risk areas for flooding.
We hear from Village Postmaster Tim Chapman who’s home has been affected eight times since 2006.
Cian Ducrot’s been chatting to our sister station kmfm about his new song ‘I’ll be waiting’ – and his upcoming tour.
You might have seen his videos on TikTok where he surprises cafe staff with a flash mob choir.
He’s been telling Numi about all of that on the Hit List.
And in sport, Gillingham are finally out of the League Two relegation zone after beating Grimsby Town last night.
A dramatic late goal from Oli Hawkins gave the Gills a 2-1 victory at Priestfield.
Manager Neil Harris gave us his reaction. 

Dozens of couples who were due to get married at a venue near Hythe have had their bookings cancelled at short notice.
Lympne Castle has been sold off to a new owner and the company that runs events there will no longer be dealing with the business.
Our reporter explains how this has happened.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent campaigner’s backing calls for more regulation on disposable vapes, to stop children buying and using them.
There are concerns about the impact vaping could have on young people’s health.
Maidstone Councillor Tony Harwood says the devices are no longer a tool to help people stop smoking.
A Chatham mum whose twin sons were born with two different types of heart disease says she’s been blown away with how unforgiving the world can be with two poorly children.
Artemis and Perseus were nearly six weeks premature – and both had to have surgery.
We hear from their mum, Storm Sanson, who’s trying to raise awareness and money for support.
And, a 370-year-old inn in Margate, which has been dubbed the ‘longest Homes Under the Hammer project ever’, could reopen by the summer.
The owner has been showing us around.
 

The parents of a Gravesend boy who died after being hit by a lorry on the A2 say they have no idea why he took his own life.
16 year-old Ekam Sadana was killed on the coast bound carriageway last September.
Our reporter – who followed the inquest in Maidstone – talks us though the story.
The KentOnline Podcast’s been told any hike in the cost a travel pass for school children in Kent could make it unaffordable for lots of families.
The Kent Travel Saver card currently sets mums and dads back £450 a year.
It’s understood it could be increased to around £600 pounds – we speak to Mark Hood, who’s a Green Party councillor in Tonbridge.
Members of Kent Fire and Rescue are on the ground in Turkey helping authorities search for survivors – a week after two deadly earthquakes 
At least 35,000 people are confirmed to have died there and in neighbouring Syria.
Three firefighters, who are usually based in the county, have been sharing their experiences.
And, major work’s underway to prevent potential landslips at six sites on the railway in East Kent.
Thousands of tonnes of earth will be removed from the banks around the track and netting’s being put up.
Chris Denham from Network Rail explains why the work is so essential.

It’s feared there could be a nasty accident in Sandwich after a bus stop was relocated.
An area on New Street outside Guildhall Square that was previously used as a pull in has been tarmacked over – with buses stopping further up the road instead.
Hear from people who live there and the response from the council.
Also in today’s podcast, a worker at a Turkish restaurant in Kent has described how his family has been devastated by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
More than 21,700 people are now known to have died after the power tremour struck on Monday.
It’s been confirmed the amount we pay in council tax in Kent is going up by about 5% from April.
That works out as an extra £73 for an average Band D household – bringing the annual payment to just over £1,500.
We’ve also been speaking to the council leader about how much parents might have to pay for the annual travel saver pass for children.
Prayer books belonging to two of Henry VIII’s wives have been reunited for the first time in 500 years and gone on display in Kent.
One belonged to Catherine of Aragon – the other was owned by Anne Boleyn.
They’re on show at Hever Castle where Anne grew up and we’ve been chatting to assistant curator Kate McCaffrey.
Find out which Kent songwriter will be collecting a BRIT Award this weekend.
We’ve got a roundup of everything going on in Kent this weekend.
And in sport, Gillingham will be looking to make it five games unbeaten this weekend.
They travel to take on promotion chasing Mansfield Town – manager Neil Harris has been speaking to our sport reporter Luke Cawdell.
 

There’s going to be a crackdown on garish shopfronts in Canterbury after the high street was likened to a ‘second-class Las Vegas’.
Dozens of businesses are set to be ordered to remove bright signs, lights and paintwork that don’t comply with council rules.
Hear from people in the city.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent mum is calling for universities to have a legal duty of care over their students after her daughter took her own life…
Phoebe Grime was just 20 when she died while studying at Newcastle University in 2021.
Her mum Hilary has been speaking to Gabriel Morris from our colleagues at KMTV.
An important meeting is taking place in Kent to decide how much council tax we’ll have to pay.
Bosses at county hall in Maidstone will vote on their budget and are expected to approve a hike of just under 5%. Hear from our political editor Paul Francis.
The KentOnline Podcast has been finding out more about plans to release iron age pigs in an area of Kent woodland.
You’ve probably already heard about the wild bison that have been roaming around West Blean and Thornden Woods near Canterbury.
The pigs are joining them as part of a conservation project to help tackle climate change.
And, Freya Ridings has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm about her new single Weekends and album Blood Orange.
It’s her first new music in three years and she can’t wait for us to hear it.