A landlord's been left with a £60,000 repair bill after three of his properties were turned into cannabis factories.

Drugs were found being grown at homes owned by Fergus Wilson in Ashford, Aylesford and Boughton Monchelsea near Maidstone. Reporter James Pallant has been covering the story and joins the podcast.

Also on today's episode, a former Kent MP hasn't ruled out trying to win back his seat - but for a different party.

Adam Holloway has confirmed he's left the Conservatives and joined Reform. He represented Gravesham for 19 years but lost his seat to Labour at the last election.

A Medway mum has raised concerns about changes which will increase the time between cervical screening tests.

At the moment, women are invited in every three years after the age of 25 to check for potentially dangerous HPV cells. That is set to be increased to five years which is a worry to Abby Squires who has had abnormal results in the past.

A teacher who was once a pupil at the school she went on to work at is retiring after nearly 40 years.

Karen Brown attended Milstead and Frinsted CofE Primary School in the 1960s and has been speaking to reporter Cara Simmonds.

Former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm about the freedoms of going solo.

She's promoting her new single Been A Minute, which is her first as an independent artist. 

And in sport, the Women's Open golf is going to be played in Kent for the first time.

It'll be staged at Royal St George's in Sandwich in 2027.

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A young woman's told us she's scared to walk in Maidstone town centre alone after being victim of a violent robbery.

Mercie Doe was attacked as she walked near the Archbishop's Palace in August last year, she was thrown to the ground and her bag was stolen.

Mercie has bravely spoken about her ordeal and told the podcast what she thinks should be done to improve safety for women and girls.

Also in today's podcast, a coroner's criticised the training and lack of basic medical kit provided by a private ambulance firm - after a teenager died at Margate's Dreamland.

A mum from Sevenoaks has told the podcast how she wasn't able to enjoy being pregnant with twins - after they developed a potentially life-threatening condition.

Beau Yeung's babies had something called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome which happens when they share a placenta.

It's been revealed the cost of buying a new-build home in Kent has almost doubled over the past 20 years, while sales have plummeted.

Our business editor Chris Britcher has been analysing data and joins today's podcast.

Residents in a village near Ashford say it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt, because of inconsiderate parking.

Villagers in Hamstreet say drivers consistently ignore double yellow lines - which they say has led to damaged homes and blocked routes.

And in sport, Kent cricket have been deducted 8 points following poor conduct in the County Championship.

The most recent of four penalties they have received came in last week's defeat to Glamorgan - when Daniel Bell-Drummond showed dissent to the umpire.

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Private security guards have been brought in to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Herne Bay.

A company called Akon has been given a six-week contract to support council enforcement teams and police. It's costing £8,500 and comes after concerns about gangs of young people "terrorising" the town.

Also in today's podcast, organisers of a free princess-themed event in Maidstone have been forced to cancel it due to council charges.

Snow Princess Parties holds an annual parade in Brenchley Gardens - where youngsters can meet their favourite fairytale and Disney characters.

Plans to help families with the cost of living are due to be discussed later, as figures show 30% of children in Medway are living in poverty.

The number of pupils eligible for free school meals has doubled in the last nine years. Hear from Medway Council leader Vince Maple.

We've been hearing how important it is to get children in Kent involved in the creative arts.

The Gulbenkian in Canterbury is running a series of events over the next few months to encourage families to get involved in arts and theatre, we've been speaking to Artistic Director David Sefton.

One of the stars of TV's Neighbours has been in Kent to mark a very special birthday.

Alan Fletcher, who played Dr Karl Kennedy in the Aussie soap, visited Maplewood Court in Maidstone to meet resident Hilda Howes who has turned 100.

A victory parade has been taking place in London to celebrate the Lionesses winning the women's Euros.

Kent's Alessia Russo scored an equaliser in the final against Spain on Sunday night taking the game to extra time and penalties.

Crowds lined the Mall to see the squad before they lifted the trophy on a stage in front of Buckingham Palace.

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A cafe in Dover has been forced to close until further notice after a fire ripped through the building.

Bosses say they're "heartbroken" after crews were called to tackle the blaze in the early hours of yesterday.

Also in today's podcast, fans have been celebrating England's win in the final of the Women's Euros.

A mural has been unveiled of Kent striker Alessia Russo at her former club ahead of a victory parade by the Lionesses.

We have been hearing from a group that runs cooking sessions for families in Maidstone as we approach the end of kmfm's Tonnes of Tins campaign.

Celebration Church will be using food to help provide meals for those who may not be able to afford it.

A Dover man has been telling us how he has created a new country between Serbia and Croatia and declared himself President.

The 'Free Republic of Verdis' is not yet an internationally recognised state, and an expert has given us his opinion on whether it ever will be.

And in football, the Gillingham boss says he is not surprised some of his younger players are being linked with other clubs.

There has been speculation on socials over the past week that Luton Town are interested in Joe Gbode.

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Hygiene inspectors have found “multiple risks to food safety” at a popular Indian takeaway - including a mouldy freezer and a bucket of raw chicken being stored at room temperature.

The restaurant in Cliftonville has hundreds of five-star ratings on food delivery app JustEat, but Thanet District Council officers found its facilities in a shocking state.

Also in today’s podcast, a Sheppey woman is calling for CCTV to be installed at an accident blackspot after three of her cars were written off in crashes.

In the last 16 years of living in Marine Parade,  £12,000 of damage has been done to Amanda Green’s vehicles while they’ve been parked up.

You can hear from Kent health bosses and a local MP about disruption to NHS services as resident doctors stage a five-day walkout. 

The latest round of industrial action started at 7am today and lasts until 7am on Wednesday with significant impact expected across hospitals, GP surgeries, mental health services and A&E departments.

In sport, Gillingham complete their pre-season campaign at Dartford this weekend and emerging from it unscathed is the manager’s main aim.

You can hear from Gareth Ainsworth who says he believes he’s got a squad that’s set up for success. 

And the KentOnline Podcast has taken a trip to uncover one of the county’s hidden gems. 

You can hear about the Cranbrook Secret Cinema Club where hand-picked films, themed cocktails and sweets, and a little bit of mystery come together.

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A mum has been granted permission to convert her house into a children’s home – despite facing huge opposition.

Vanessa Idada’s application to transform the five-bed property in Aylesham was approved unanimously at a Dover District Council planning committee meeting.

Also in today’s podcast, we’ve heard from the RSPCA ahead of what’s expected to be a busy summer in Kent, with the charity saying they often see a spike in animal cruelty cases this time of year. 

It follows figures released earlier this month which showed there were 930 reports in June, July and August 2024 

A Kent County Councillor says plans to use more electric vehicles within the authority are being scaled back to save money.

Bosses were previously trying to transition their entire fleet as part of a net zero project.

A mum whose five-year-old daughter had to have a quarter of her brain removed after having up to 50 seizures a day, has sprinkled fairy dust on a new endeavour to help other children.

Hayley Davies, from Whitstable, is hoping something she came up with to help Indy through her darkest days of despair will help other children - and their parents - through difficult times. 

And residents are campaigning to buy and preserve the history of a much-loved pub, which is now the “last one standing”.

The Black Horse in Stansted, was once a thriving village boozer but has been closed for more than nine months.

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A man in his 50s has died following an incident which shut part of the M2.

Police were called to a section of the busy motorway between Strood and Chatham just before 5 this morning. 

Also in today's podcast, a plumber who had been out drinking ended up in a police chase after accepting a lift home in a stolen Asda delivery van - which was later used to ram a police car.

He’d drunk more than usual when he got into the vehicle, which had been stolen by his friend after it was left unattended during a delivery to a customer in Gillingham. 

A family has spoken of their disabled dad’s devastation after burglars ransacked his home and stole at least £50,000 worth of his late wife’s jewellery.

You can hear from his son who says the 59-year-old has been left sleepless and anxious after losing “another part” of his partner. 

Plans have resurfaced to build hundreds of new homes on apple orchards in Medway.

Medway Council previously refused permission for more than 1200 homes on the site in Rainham, but the land has now been included in their local plan for development.

And in football, you can hear from Gareth Ainsworth who wasn’t letting the scoreline get in the way of what he felt was a positive Gillingham performance at Ebbsfleet last night. 

The Gills lost the pre-season friendly 2 – 1. 

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A mum housed in a two-bed council home with six of her children says “pigs in a sty live more comfortably” than her family.

Rebecca Waller is desperate to be moved somewhere bigger than the “claustrophobic” semi-detached property in Faversham.

Also in today’s podcast, there's been an increase in the number of Kent police officers who are being signed off work for mental health reasons.

Figures show there were 320 last year, which is a five percent increase on the year before – you can hear from the Kent Police Federation chair about the statistics. 

A charity boss fears there could be a rise in “devastating” anti-social behaviour this summer due to ongoing cuts to youth services.

We’ve spoken to the CEO of Pie Factory Music in Ramsgate who says a lack of support and spaces for young people is fuelling feelings of frustration and abandonment.

Proposed changes to how rubbish is collected from an over-50s’ park home complex have been met with fear and disgust.

Maidstone council is suggesting residents at The Retreat Mobile Home Park in Wateringbury put their general waste in one big bin at the front of the site – you can hear from a resident with mobility issues who has concerns. 

And in football, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth can’t wait for the real action to begin as he reminds fans not to worry about their pre-season results.

The Gills have two pre-season matches left starting with a game at National South Ebbsfleet United tonight. 

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The family of a 30-year-old battling a cancer so “horrific” that medical professionals cried while performing radiotherapy is pleading for help with more treatment.

Chatham man Alex Able is believed to be the only adult ever recorded in the UK to be diagnosed with the very rare and aggressive Rhabdoid tumour and is now in a race against the clock.

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a Kent campaigner who agrees the system for regulating water companies should be overhauled and Ofwat replaced. 

It’s after a landmark review of the sector outlined 88 recommendations to the government to turn the industry around. 

A grandmother forced to ‘claw’ her way from addiction has reconnected with family thanks to a £4,000 government cash injection.

Sarah is among a small group in Kent, being supported by Canterbury-based charity Porchlight, to have joined a first-of-its-kind trial, examining the effects of giving former rough sleepers greater financial help.

An animal sanctuary owner says she is “hoping for a miracle” with less than seven weeks before an eviction deadline.

Amey James, who runs Happy Pants Ranch, is trying to raise £500,000 to buy the land where she and more than 400 animals live.

And in football, the Gillingham manager is confident the goals will come this season - and says ‘don’t judge us yet!’

You can hear from Gareth Ainsworth after the Gills suffered a 2 – 0 loss to Luton Town in their pre-season friendly. 

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It’s understood plans for a £30 million hotel at a country park have been quietly dropped after the intended operator pulled out.

The controversial scheme at Betteshanger, near Deal, was met with huge opposition and took two years to get planning permission.

Also in today’s podcast, the family of a sub-postmistress convicted of stealing thousands from the branch will be given the chance to clear her name after “an abuse of process”.

Pat Owen was found guilty of theft from the Broad Oak Post Office in Sturry, near Canterbury, in 1998, despite denying any involvement in a £6,000 shortfall in its accounts.

There’s a warning from the RNLI about using inflatables in the sea after two men had to be rescued after being blown out to sea in strong winds while on a paddleboard and inflatable flamingo.

It happened on Monday afternoon when the pair got into difficulty off Leysdown beach on the Isle of Sheppey.

You can hear from teenagers in the county following the bombshell news people as young as 16 can vote in the next UK general election for the first time.

We also spoke to a Kent County Councillor to get his thoughts on what’s been called the biggest electoral reform in 50 years. 

And in football the Gillingham manager says he’s pretty happy with how the squad is shaping up as their pre-season continues. 

They’re hosting Luton Town tomorrow at Priestfield. 

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