KentOnline

A Folkestone teenager has died after falling onto a railway line during a night out.

Tom Watson, who was 18, had been out with friends last Thursday and is understood to have accidentally fallen onto the tracks at Canterbury East Station.

Also in today's podcast, £6 million pound plans to build a new sea cadets base on Sheppey have been scrapped.

Bosses at the site in Minster had been hoping to demolish their current buildings and replace them with two new blocks. Reporter Joe Crossley has been along to have a look.

A Kent wildlife charity has joined forces with specialists in Surrey to get an MRI scan for a brown bear who's been suffering seizures .

The Wildwood Trust have been looking after Boki at their wildlife park near Canterbury and say he's loved by everyone for his cheeky antics. They've been explaining how the procedure was done.

We've got an incredible story of courage and determination as a blind veteran from Ramsgate prepares to compete in the Dartford half marathon this weekend.

Paul Jacobs was injured while serving in Afghanistan when he was just 20. He's been speaking to Lucy Hickmott about preparing for Sunday's race.

A Maidstone art trail that's been delighting families through the summer holidays is coming to an end this weekend.

More than 100 Shaun the Sheep sculptures have been scattered through the town to raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice and will all be under one roof for the next few days.

Sam Lawrie's got a round-up of everything else going on in Kent this weekend. 

In sport, Gillingham prepare to host Tranmere Rovers at Priestfield in league two this weekend.

The home side will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday's defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

It’s been revealed a driver who’d taken cocaine hours before getting behind the wheel lost control of his vehicle before a fatal crash. 

Tommy Dunn also wasn't wearing his seatbelt and was using his phone moments before swerving into oncoming traffic.

Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP is calling on the Mayor of London to extend his plans to offer concessions for the Silvertown Tunnel to include people living in Kent 

There are a proposal to offer a discount for people in the London boroughs near the tunnel while ignoring those who live south of the River Thames. 

Work has started on the infilling of part of a docklands area to prepare for new EU border rules.

The Port of Dover is aiming to create more space for checks when new Entry/Exit System starts in November 10 amid fears of traffic chaos. 

It's 12 months since retail giant Wilko started closing its stores - just a month after declaring bankruptcy. 

12,500 people lost their jobs nationwide including those who worked in Kent's 15 branches. 

And a community group aiming to purchase and save a 500-year-old pub made famous on TV has won the backing of Piers Morgan. 

The TV personality paid a visit to the Swan on the Green  near Tonbridge last week while out dining with friends.

A woman's revealed she felt 'physically sick' after being told her abusive ex-boyfriend from Tonbridge is being released early from prison.

32-year-old warehouse worker Jack Poore from Hadlow was jailed for 35 months last year - but is due out as part of government plans to free-up space in jails.

Natasha Brine has moved away from the county, but has been telling reporter Liane Castle how victim's aren't being considered.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP says she feels ashamed of her party after plans to cut winter fuel payments passed through Parliament.

Only the poorest pensioners will now get the support.

A man who grows produce for a foodbank in Dover has told the podcast how half of it has failed - because of a problem with the water supply at his allotment.

A solar-powered well was installed at the site on Folkestone Road - but plot owners say they're not getting enough supplies when it's cloudy.

The people in charge of fundraising for the air ambulance covering Kent have told us there's still a misconception that it's paid for by the NHS.

This week is all about raising awareness of what they do.

There are calls for a creek near Sittingbourne to be cleaned up in a bid to stop a smell wafting into the town centre...

It's claimed pollution is getting into Milton Creek where there are plans for redevelopment.

A retired teacher who's suffered three separate brain injuries says it's inspired him to try and help others.

Phillip Lisgarten has done various fundraising activities - including a Lands End to John O' Groats bike ride and a running marathon.

Our reporter Alex Langridge has been chatting to the 70-year-old , his wife Judith and daughter Rebekah.

A Kent woman who suffered months of domestic abuse at the hands of her boyfriend is urging other victims to speak out.

Josephine Bell from Faversham says her partner cut her off from her family and friends.

The 22-year-old has been speaking to reporter James Pallant.

Also on today's podcast, the Prime Minister's facing a rebellion in the Commons today over proposed changes to winter fuel payments.

Millions of pensioners looks to lose the £300, but Sir Keir Starmer says it's necessary to stabilise the economy. We've been hearing from the Dartford MP.

A Margate mum whose teenage son took his own life is urging us not to avoid difficult conversations about mental health.

15-year-old Stefan Kluibenschadl died in 2022, and his parents have spoken out as we mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

The KentOnline Podcast's been told work to widen a busy stretch of road not far from Kings Hill could start next spring.

It's after years of campaigning to improve safety on the A228 at Kent Street near Mereworth.

Coffee waste from cafes in Canterbury is going to be prevented from going to landfill, and recycled instead.

We consume around 36 billion cups of coffee in the UK every year - generating 250-thousand tonnes of spent coffee grounds.

In sport,  the Gillingham boss has been nominated for the league two manager of the month award for August.

Mark Bonner's side were unbeaten in their first four games of the season and top of the table.

Several families have been moved into temporary accommodation after the flats where they lived in Thanet were condemned.

Water got into the electrics of the block in Cliftonville when heavy rain poured through the roof during renovations.

Also in today’s episode, protesters have set up a blockade outside a Kent factory that's accused of sending weapons to Israel.

Palestine Action blocked all roads leading into the Instro Precision site at the Discovery Park in Sandwich and covered the building in red paint.

A road in Swanscombe has been closed after three new sinkholes opened up in the space of three days.

Work is underway to repair the carriageway on Galley Hill Road - just metres away from a landslide 18 months ago.

The parents of a boy with special needs say he has been denied essential equipment by the Medway Council.

11-year-old Tomas Powell needed a new walker to get around as he suffers from a rare condition.

In football, Gillingham have suffered their first league two defeat of the season.

They have dropped down to fourth in the table after losing 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers at the weekend.

And, as the Paralympics comes to an end, it is hoped more people will consider joining a group for disabled athletes in Kent.

Inclusive Sport was set up six years ago and has now been given funding for a new headquarters in Whitstable.

A police investigation is underway after two bodies were discovered on two different railway tracks in Kent. 

The first victim was found near the Port of Dover just before 2am, the second near Canterbury East just after 9am. 

Also in today’s podcast, a corner shop is having its licence reviewed after a staff member was accused of hitting an alleged shoplifter with a metal pole and barricading them inside.

It's not the first run in police have had with the store in Dartford - officers say the owner has shown a lack of responsibility in running the shop. 

It's been a grim night for developers behind plans for 1,600 new homes in Birchington as local bosses refuse to approve the scheme. 

A final decision has been deferred despite warnings of a costly appeal should the project be rejected. 

Fed-up residents say more should be done to stop illegal cockle-pickers stripping their beaches.

Each year teams of people are spotted along the shore of the Isle of Sheppey, but those who have tried reporting it fear nothing will be done until someone loses their life.

And in sport, it’s another big weekend for Gillingham who are hoping to continue their unbeaten league run against Doncaster this weekend. 

You can hear from boss Mark Bonner who says they’re expecting their toughest away game yet. 

More than 100 people have signed a petition calling for a Kent school to take down a gate that stops students using a toilet block during class time. 

It's reportedly made children at Herne Bay High feel like they're "in prison" while parents have described the move as "bureaucratic madness".

Also in today’s podcast, residents of a block of flats in Maidstone say they're being punished for the actions of mavericks who fail to recycle properly. 

All of the bins outside the complex were rejected by refuse workers last week and are now overflowing with rubbish. 

You can also hear from a man who lives on an estate in Canterbury who has his own rubbish problems – he says fly-tippers are turning his neighbourhood into a junkyard.

He’s lived there for 30 years but it’s now got so bad he’s considering moving away. 

There are fears it's only a matter of time before someone is killed on a "nasty" stretch of road on the Kent coast.

Residents are calling for local bosses to introduce safety measures to the area known as "the Bends" between Whitstable and Herne Bay. 

And a family-run riverside pub with a chequered history is going to reopen after mysteriously closing last year.

The Ship Inn at Conyer Creek will be ready to welcome customers again this month after being taken over by a first time landlord. 

The boss of a shop in Dover has blamed new EU border rules for the closure of his store - just months after another trader quit for the same reason.

He’s told the podcast repeated delays mean customers already struggle to reach his business because of long queues blocking the roads and it will only get worse when new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks come into force in November. 

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a leading asylum charity who says more people will die in the Channel unless safe routes are set up. 

It follows the death of at least 13 people who lost their lives when a small boat capsized yesterday. 

There are calls for compensation to be given to those affected by a major internet outage which sparked chaos over the weekend.

The blackout in Dartford hit more than 6000 people for as long as 33 hours. 

Fans have been left disappointed after a band set to perform at Dreamland this week have cancelled their gig following the death of a crew member.

Scooter have posted on social media to say they're "devastated" and have made the decision to reschedule. 

And, people living in Folkestone have been left baffled following a bid to bring back public phone boxes. 

Plans have been revealed to introduce futuristic, touch-screen boxes - but it raises the question of who will actually use them? 

There are fears a swimming ban could be introduced in part of Kent following a rise in unsafe levels of bacteria in the sea.

Reporter Oliver Leonard has been investigating this story and joins the podcast to go through the details.

Also on today's podcast, a Kent mum says she's considering legal action over planned changes to council disability payments.

Bernadette John's 29-year-old son Nathan lives in supported accommodation which is funded by Kent County Council.

At the moment he contributes £10 pounds a week, but that's set to increase to £46. Bernadette has been describing what impact it'll have.

A Kent MP has criticised the government's plans to renationalise Britain's railways.

New legislation to bring train operating companies back under public ownership is being debated in Parliament today.

A bridge has been installed as part of a multi-million pound road project near Sittingbourne.

The Grovehurst Road scheme is designed to ease congestion around Iwade and Kemsley with new homes planned. Hear from the man in charge of the project.

Robots are being used to pick fruit at a farm in Kent, because of a decline in seasonal workers.

The tech moves along rows of crops, has two picking arms and even 'eyes' that can tell if a berry is ripe enough. 

And in sport, Gillingham are back in action tonight - this time in the EFL Trophy.

They're taking on Peterborough United at Priestfield following Saturday's 1-0 win over Chesterfield in the league.

A mystery buyer has snapped up plots of land in Medway, leading to fears it'll affect resident's privacy and the value of their homes.

The plots of land vary in size from less the an acre to more than seven acres, and some are within feet of people's properties.

Also in today's podcast, a man's been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 80s was stabbed to death near Tunbridge Wells.

Police were called to a disturbance in Bright Ridge in Southborough on Saturday night.

The prisons watchdog says HMP Rochester needs urgent improvement after a decade of decline resulting in a "shocking level of neglect".  

Inspectors visited last month and found squalid conditions, rising violence and widespread drug use.  Hear from Charlie Taylor who is HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.

The Kent MP hoping to be the next Tory leader has revealed he'd bring back something similar to the Rwanda scheme if he ever becomes Prime Minister.

Labour promised to scrap the policy and have set up a Border Security Command to try and stop asylum seekers crossing the Channel. Tonbridge rep Tom Tugendhat has been speaking on the latest episode of the Kent Politics Podcast.

As new research suggests more than a fifth of customers are asking for the service charge to be removed from restaurant bills, we've been finding out what you think.

Rather than leave a tip on the table, it's becoming more and more common for eateries to add a bit extra onto the bill instead. Reporter Millie Bowles has been chatting to diners in Canterbury.

It's claimed donations have been left to rot inside a charity shop in Maidstone, after it closed during the pandemic but never reopened.

Save the Children in Union Street still has a full window display at the front and is overgrown with brambles at the back.

And in sport, Gillingham remain unbeaten in league two this season after a 1-0 win over Chesterfield.

Robbie McKenzie scored the only goal of the game at Priestfield on Saturday and we've been getting the thoughts of manager Mark Bonner.