KentOnline

The shocking moment a drunk driver careened into a seaside pub loved by celebrities - then calmly walked away – has been caught on camera. 

Howard Sargent left a trail of destruction when he ploughed his Toyota into the Pilot Inn after drinking throughout the day.

Also in today’s podcast, we’ve spoken to a Folkestone mum who is urging others not to ignore lumps while breastfeeding after she was diagnosed with cancer.

Chelsey Saunders put her symptoms - which also included a swelling in her armpit - down to a cold and being a busy mum.

Former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe has been us how she has no doubt Nigel Farage will be the next Prime Minister. 

The Reform party member, well known for her straight-talking style, has been the latest guest on the Kent Politics Podcast

Dozens of motorbikes have taken to the roads of Ken to raise vital funds for a service that delivers blood to hospitals.

SERV is made up of volunteers who ensure critical supplies get to medical bases – we’ve been chatting to some of their members. 

And in sport we’ve got plenty of reaction after Gillingham’s win over Oldham Athletic on Saturday. 

You can hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth and from new signing Sam Vokes who’s scored his first goal to help the Gills go top of the league. 

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Drivers have been facing long delays on a number of main roads in Kent following a series of crashes.

The most serious happened on the M20 in the early hours of this morning, closing part of the London bound carriageway.

Also in today's podcast, a Tunbridge Wells mum has been told she has just weeks to live after a 10-year battle with cancer.

Hélène Menardi  was initially diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2015, and despite intensive treatment it's now spread to other parts of her body. Hear from her husband Marcus Bird.

It's been announced the boss of P-and-O Ferries is leaving the company.

Peter Hebblethwaite has been in charge of the firm, which runs services between Dover and Calais, for the last four years.

A Folkestone man whose mum and step-dad have been detained in Iran says they've been "suddenly whisked" into a court room to face charges of spying.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were arrested in January while on a motorbike tour of the world and their son Joe Bennett is concerned they won't get a fair trial.

An 11 year-old from Tunbridge Wells who's raised thousands of pounds during her treatment for a brain tumour has been nominated for a top award.

Kirsty Waugh started experiencing symptoms in September last year and tests revealed a benign tumour which can't be removed because of where it is. She's been raising money during a 70 week course of chemotherapy.

A woman from Gravesend has celebrated her 105th birthday and revealed her secrets to long life.

Great-grandmother Nona Donner was born in August 1920 - living through the Second World War.

And in sport,  it's a trip north for Gillingham in league two this weekend.

They're travelling to take on newly promoted Oldham Athletic - hear from manager Gareth Ainsworth and defender Robbie McKenzie.

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Police have taped off the car park of a council office building in Sittingbourne.

Officers were called to Swale House on East Street last night while paramedics were also reportedly seen early this morning. Hear from reporter Joe Crossley who has also been there.

Also in today's podcast, a Sittingbourne mum has told us how it took her having a 'breakdown' in an A&E ward to find out her daughter has a life-changing condition.

Morgan Austin from Teynham gave birth to Matilda in January and was told her baby had reflux. She was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy and now needs extensive physiotherapy.

Police have told the podcast they won't be arresting anyone for putting up flags in public places across Kent.

You may have noticed Union Flags appearing on lamp posts in recent days while roundabouts and road markings have been spray painted to look like St George Crosses.

A popular shop in Rochester has reopened two days after a suspected arson attack.

The door and front of Get Ready Comics on the High Street was badly damaged when a floral arch outside was reportedly set alight early on Tuesday morning. Hear from the owner who has been chatting to us while a police investigation is underway.

And in sport, Kent's Emma Raducanu says she's looking to build on progress every day as she continues her strong run at the US Open.

She's through to the third round after beating Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen.

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Tributes have been paid to a dad who died after suffering a cardiac arrest at a gym in Herne Bay.

Tim Sells was working out at Snap Fitness when he collapsed last week, and passed away in hospital three days later.

The 47-year-old worked as a football development manager for Millwall FC Community Trust and also coached youngsters at Whitstable Town FC and Tankerton. Hear from his partner Lisa who is urging people to learn CPR.

Also in today's podcast, a man has been flown to a London hospital after being hit by a vehicle near Maidstone.

The crash happened on the A229 Linton Road in Loose at around 5.30am - our reporter Cara Simmons has been to the scene.

A new report has revealed Kent could be missing out on a share of nearly £3 billion in economic growth due to no international trains stopping at Ashford.

Eurostar suspended services in 2020 because of Covid, now a thinktank called The Good Growth Foundation say the Government should favour new operators. We've been speaking to a local campaigner.

An event has taken place in Kent to discuss violence against women and girls.

It was organised by the Reform UK leader of the county council who wanted to examine why women feel less safe and where threats are coming from. Local democracy reporter Simon Finlay went along and us updated the podcast on what happened.

And, a Kent man who met his wife on VE Day is celebrating his 100th birthday.

Peter Lake worked as a  mechanical engineer for the RAF and lived in London during the Second World War.

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A man has been injured following reports of a serious attack in Herne Bay.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were called to Hampton Pier Avenue yesterday evening.

Also in today's podcast, footage has been released of a traffic warden being attacked in Gravesend, as staff speak out about the abuse they are facing.

An investigation by KentOnline has found enforcement officers are putting up with daily threats, assaults and racism.

People living in a village near Dartford fear it could be split in two if plans to reform local councils in Kent are given the go ahead.

Bosses in Medway have revealed how they think devolution could look in future - with a map showing Wilmington falling into two different unitary authority areas.

A Kent MP says he wants to challenge the perception that we live in an unsafe society as crime rates are actually falling.

Tris Osborne says it might not seem the case as more visible offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are increasing.

The owners of a café and bar in Tonbridge are hoping to convert an old bank vault inside into a new nightlife space.

The Market House opened in the former NatWest on the High Street last August.

Gillingham have extended their unbeaten run under manager Gareth Ainsworth to 17 games.

They beat top of the table Crewe Alexandra 1-nil at Priestfield on Saturday.

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Ahead of the August bank holiday weekend we're being encouraged to visit part of the Kent coast - despite it's poor water quality rating.

The owners of Dymchurch Amusement Park say there's more to do there than just swimming.

Last November the Environment Agency downgraded the beach's water quality to poor and issued a no-swim warning.

Also in today's podcast, a woman who moved to Kent when the war started in Ukraine has told the podcast she doesn't think the Russian president will ever agree to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Donald Trump has started plans to bring the leaders together after meeting them separately over the past week. Hear from Margarita Bondarenko who's from Kyiv and now lives in Canterbury, she's been speaking ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day this weekend.

A Medway nurse is urgently fundraising for immunotherapy after being diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer.

Charlotte Flannery was told the tumour on her ovary has fewer than 100 recorded cases and she needs £70,000 for further treatment to prevent it from returning.

In sport, it's another home game for Gillingham this weekend.

They welcome top of the table Crewe Alexandra to Priestfield looking to maintain their unbeaten run in league two. Hear from defender Andy Smith and manager Gareth Ainsworth.

Cricket, and Kent have won their latest game in the One Day Cup.

The Spitfires bowled Northamptonshire Steelbacks out for 243 and reached the victory target with seven wickets to spare.

And, the Women's Rugby World Cup gets underway later with England taking on the USA.

It's hoped the tournament will encourage more girls to get involved in the sport. We've been speaking to a young player from Medway Rugby Club.

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A Kent landlord has revealed plans to offer woodland to a council for a traveller camp.

Fergus Wilson has said he will sell a 12 acre site in Boughton Monchelsea, that he bought in the 1980s, to Maidstone Borough Council.

The local authority recently launched a search for suitable land to accommodate a 15 pitch camp.

Also in today's podcast, the Reform UK leader of Kent County Council has told local authorities to check up on the legal status of asylum hotels.

Linden Kemkaran has spoken out after a High Court decision to stop people being housed at a hotel in Epping.

Thousands of teenagers across Kent have been picking up their GCSE results today.

National figures show the number of students getting top grades has risen slightly from last year and remains higher than before the Covid pandemic. Hear from Gracie and Amelia who collected their results last year and have advice for anyone getting them today.

We've also been speaking to a careers advisor at North Kent College.

A Maidstone man, who was a victim of childhood bullying, is attempting to run seven marathons in seven days in seven countries for charity.

Ben White, from Teston, was physically and verbally bullied during his time at secondary school.

He's explained how the verbal abuse he suffered for how he ran had a profound effect - but says that running has saved his life.

And in sport, Kent's cricketers are back in One Day Cup action today.

The Spitfires are bottom of Group B with just 1 win in 5 and are at The County Ground to take on the Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

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A man who died after falling in the River Medway in Maidstone earlier this month has been named.

Daniel Grossett was discovered a day after being spotted going into the water near Archbishops Palace on August 11th. He'd previously been on an episode of the podcast and plenty of tributes have been paid.

Also in today's episode, Kent Wildlife Trust bosses have told us how vital money that could be spent on conservation is having to be used to repair damage at some of their sites.

A viewing screen at one site has been destroyed by vandals while camping equipment has been dumped at another. Hear from area manager Steve Weeks.

Kent Gladiators star Matt Morsia says he's torn his bicep tendon while filming for the show.

The 39-year-old from Hythe, who's known as Legend, got ill after surgery and has been updating fans on his YouTube channel.

An 11-year-old boy from Swanley who took his GCSE Maths exam early is among those waiting for results tomorrow.

Brian Idogun, who is in Year 7 at Orchards Academy, sat the test along with thousands of teenagers earlier this year.

A Kent zoo is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a promise to protect more rare and endangered animals.

Hemsley Conservation Charity near Sevenoaks was set up in 2015 by Adam Hemsley when he was just 22.

And in sport, Gillingham have continued their unbeaten start to the league two season with a 4-1 win over Chesterfield.

Armani Little scored two penalties, and there were goals for Lenni Cirino and Marcus Wyllie at Priesfield last night. We've got reaction from manager Gareth Ainsworth.

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A tractor driver is in a critical but stable condition after his vehicle fell from a bridge onto the M20.

Police say he had been driving along the A227 near Wrotham when his trailer became separated from the tractor and overturned.

Also in today's podcast, there's been mixed reaction to news further traffic restrictions could be put in place on Rochester High Street.

You already can't drive along it on Saturdays - now a consultation is underway into plans to stop vehicles on Sundays and bank holidays as well.

A Kent politician says the Conservatives will need to learn lessons from Donald Trump if they want to win the next election.

Robbie Lammas, who's a Tory councillor in Medway, travelled out to America to campaign for the Republicans last year.

He was also previously chief of staff for the chairman of the Conservative party.

A Folkestone woman who was left with brain damage after an epileptic seizure has landed a book publishing deal.

Nicola Hodges suffered four brain haemorrhages following a fall five years ago.

A traffic bollard has been given a knitted makeover in a bid to stop crashes in a Kent village.

It's been installed to try and stop vehicles bumping up onto the pavements to get through the narrow roads of Yalding.

And in sport, Gillingham will be hoping to go four games unbeaten in league two later.

They're hosting Chesterfield, after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers.

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A two-year-old boy has died after a car hit pedestrians in a car park in Whitstable.

Emergency crews were called to the junction of Harbour Street and Cromwell Road on Saturday night and a man in his 20s has been arrested.

Also in today's podcast, two people are due in court charged with murder following the death of a man in Gravesend.

Police were called to a disturbance involving a group of people outside a property on Augustine Road last Tuesday night.

 It's been revealed temporary accommodation is costing councils in Kent almost £50 million a year.

That's up from around £26 million two years ago.

A pub in Gillingham with a troubled past has undergone a transformation after being taken over by regulars.

The Woodland Tavern on Canterbury Street was given up by the previous landlord after police requested a licence review last year.

A Sevenoaks woman is getting ready to take on a challenge in Spain - that'll see her run more than a marathon a day for almost two weeks.

Laura Whyms wants to set a world record when she completes the Camino de Santiago.

And in sport, and it was a point for Gillingham in the league at the weekend.

Joe Gbode scored and equaliser late into added time to secure at 1-all draw at Tranmere Rovers - hear reaction from manager Gareth Ainsworth.

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