KentOnline

A primary school teacher from Gravesend has been banned from the profession after she was caught drinking wine during her lunch break.

She was in her car at the time and was later called into the office for questioning.

Also in today's podcast, a former soldier from Canterbury has been telling KentOnline how medicinal cannabis "changed his life" after years struggling with PTSD.

Christopher Monteiro-Sharratt served in Bosnia, and found it difficult to adjust to normal life when he came home.

Thousands of people across Kent will be heading out to vote today in the general election.

There are 18 constituencies in the county - and polls are open until 10pm tonight.

Final preparations are underway for this year's Kent County Show.

There'll be animal competitions, music, food stalls and family activities at the showground in Detling from tomorrow until Sunday.

Young people are taking part in the first Teenage Market in Thanet this weekend.

There'll be stalls selling items including jewellery and clothes - as well as a performance space for musicians, comedians and poets at The Centre in Margate on Saturday.

In sport, Kent's Emma Raducanu's beaten Belgium's Elise Mertens to reach the third round of Wimbledon.

She won in straight sets - just hours after it was confirmed she'll partner Andy Murray in the mixed doubles.

And, in football, the Gillingham chairman has been speaking after the players returned to training this week.

Their fitness has been tested ahead of a series of pre-season friendlies.

It’s been confirmed four Kent restaurants owned by the same company will be closing.

They’re all owned by Whitbread, which is also the owner of Premier Inn, which earlier this year confirmed plans to convert 112 of its low-performing restaurants into hotel facilities and to sell 126 of its branded restaurants.

Also in today’s podcast, a woman has now been charged with murder after a 25-year-old man was stabbed.

Police were called to Harrietsham yesterday afternoon but the victim later died in hospital. 

School children have been stuck on a bus home for hours during traffic “madness” that brought drivers to a standstill in Sittingbourne.

Pupils arrived home at 7.50pm on Monday, despite being picked up at 4.30pm.

A cruel dog owner hacked out their pet’s identification microchip before dumping the animal to wander the streets wounded.

The injured young lurcher was found in Ashford with an ugly gash to its back and taken in by the dog warden.

And there are fears a new McDonald’s planned for Dover would spill over onto a former graveyard where there are still burials.  

Fast food bosses are calling on the public to support their proposal for a new restaurant next to church ruins. 

The family of a teenage boy who suffered severe brain damage after jumping off a pier into the sea at Margate have described him as 'amazing but as wild as they come'.

Jack Dolan was knocked unconscious after performing a flip off Stone Pier last month. The 15-year-old was flown to a London hospital but a scan revealed no brain activity.

Also in today's podcast, with less than 48 hours until polls open for the general election, it's feared some people in Kent might not get the chance to vote.

There have been concerns about delays with sending out postal ballots for those who are on holiday or otherwise unable to get to a polling station in person.

A petition's been set up calling for traffic lights to be installed outside a school in Broadstairs, after a girl was knocked down.

The teenager suffered serious injuries in the collision near the Charles Dickens School on Friday.

The people behind a huge art trail in Maidstone this summer are hoping it raises thousands of pounds.

If you've been to the town you might have seen some of the decorated Shaun the Sheep sculptures.

There's more than 100 and there'll be there until the end of August.

And in sport, Kent's Emma Raducanu has marked her return to Wimbledon with a first round victory over Renata Zarazua.

People living in a village between Folkestone and Dover say plans to build 90 more homes is "concreting over countryside and will spoil views".

Developers have lodged plans to transform farmland in Capel-le-Ferne - and it's already raised more than 100 letters of objection.

Also in today's podcast, a woman's described the moment a car crashed into her house in a village near Ashford.

Jenny Garrad was upstairs in the property when it happened on Chequer Tree Farm Road in Mersham - she's now calling for improvements to the junction with Colliers Hill.

With just three days until the general election, a first time voter in Kent admits he still hasn't decided where to put his cross.

At the start of the campaigning, Luca Fasulo had a clear idea who he was going to vote for - but that changed after watching a hustings.

A disabled woman from Sevenoaks has accused a company of discrimination after she apparently wasn't allowed on a bus because of her mobility scooter.

Amanda King says the driver of the Number 8 Go Coach from the town centre was shaking his head as she used the ramp, despite the disabled bay being free - he reportedly then closed the door on her. 

Three school boys from Tonbridge have helped set a new tug of war world record...

Owen, Freddie and Otis used a 540 meter long rope at the town's race course - with 500 other children taking part.

And in sport, Gillingham are back in training for the new season today.

They've had nine weeks off since finishing outside the play-off places in league 2.

A dad has told of his heartbreak following the death of his kind, loving and talented daughter - aged just 16.

Sasha Ghosh, from Smeeth, near Ashford, had been competing internationally in gymnastics before being diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer two years ago.

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from election experts on which was the county is expected to vote in next week’s general election. 

According to Electoral Calculus, constituencies on the south coast are the ones to watch. 

Picnic goers were left in shock after witnessing a “lost” lorry reverse into a fence after managing to get stuck in a park next to a children’s play area.

The shocking incident, which was captured on camera, showed the large HGV attempting to navigate diversions put in place after a landslip more than a year ago. 

We’re expecting disruption in the county as a 64-year-old bridge will be shut for more than a week, starting from today.

Kingsferry Bridge, which connects the Isle of Sheppey with the mainland, will close so 40 steel ropes that lift the bridge can be replaced. 

And we’re being warned of the dangers of buys a pet online after a Gravesend woman has been left in fear of a rabbit she bought on Gumtree. 

She’s decided to surrender the bunny after he became aggressive and started biting. 

The company behind a £30 million regeneration project in Canterbury has been put into administration.

It means the development of the former Nasons department store in the city is now in doubt.

As the fall out from the election betting scandal continues, the KentOnline Podcast has been hearing your thoughts about those involved.

Earlier this week the Conservatives withdrew support for two candidates under investigation for betting on the timing of the election - Labour has also made one suspension.

Meantime, With the general election just a week away, we've been speaking to a local pub boss about what the hospitality sector wants from the new government.

Hear from Phil Thorley who's from Thorley Taverns in Thanet.

People in Larkfield are being asked what they think about plans for new community sports hub.

The area's been left with a lack of facilities since the K Sports site in Ditton closed last week. The chairman of Larkfield and New Hythe Football Club says the development would be huge for the club.

A newsagents in Sevenoaks that's been derelict for 30 years has been transformed into a sweet shop.

Zoe Barnes has been telling the podcast it's been a lifelong ambition to open her own store.

And in sport, a Kent athlete's been named in the Team GB bouldering squad for this summer's Olympics.

Erin McNeice from Sittingbourne secured her place after finishing third in the finals of the qualifying series in Budapest.

A frustrated patient waiting in a busy A&E has been involved in a stand-off with staff after his friend brought in a mattress for him to lie down on. 

The make shift bed was dragged onto the floor of the emergency unit at Ashford's William Harvey  hospital.

Also in today's podcast, we've got an extended chat with a Chatham woman who was taken into care when she was just four.

Natasha Morgan is now 33 and is using her experience as a child to help those who're now going into the care system.

A group representing care providers in Kent is urging the next government to increase funding for the social care sector.

The Medway-based National Care Association says there's a 14-billion pound shortfall - they're also struggling with a workforce crisis.

Bosses have apologised to a landlord in Canterbury after he was warned he could go to prison for painting his shopfronts pink.

The 16th century Grade II listed buildings in St Peter's Street are home to a nail salon and hairdressers.

And in sport, and Gillingham will host newly relegated Carlisle United in their first league 2 match next season.

The fixtures have been published today - and the Gills start with a home game on Saturday, August 10.

The head of a Kent grammar school is calling for a non-selective secondary nearby to re-open.

David Clark is in charge at Cranbrook school and says a replacement for the High Weald Academy, which closed nearly two years ago, is desperately needed.

It's because a lot of homes are being built in the area and many parents face sending their children miles from home.

An NHS worker from Kent has been telling the podcast about life in Ukraine, more than two years after the war there started.

Brian Grove from Sittingbourne delivered a convoy of ambulances to the country just weeks after the invasion.

With temperatures set to peak in the high 20s this week, we're being urged to do what we can to reduce the risk of grass and wild fires. 

Kent Fire and Rescue says in the hot dry weather, fires can develop and spread quickly -  having a devastating impact on the environment and local communities.

As England get ready for their final group game at the Euros - the podcast has been hearing how a Kent charity is using football to help men with their mental health.

Head In the Game was set up in 2021, and has offered support to more than 600 men across the county through weekly group sessions.

Football, and Gillingham have been handed a tough draw in the EFL trophy.

They're in Group D with defending champions Peterborough and League One's Stevenage with an under 21 team from a premier league club completing the group.

Tomorrow, the league two fixtures are out - you'll be able to see them first at KentOnline from 9am.

A Chatham woman who hid a sawn-off shotgun in her garden has avoided being sent to prison - after waiting eight years for the case to come to court.

Police were called to 47-year-old Wendy Allen's home on Weeds Wood Road in April 2016 after an anonymous tip-off.

Also in today's podcast, figures seen by the KentOnline podcast show a 45% rise in drug offences in Kent over the last four years.

Around 3,600 were were recorded in the county in 2019 - that went up to more than 5,200 in 2022. Reporter Louis Walker speaks to a former addict who says cocaine is a particular problem in the county.

With less than two weeks until the General Election, a leading Kent doctor is urging whoever forms the next government to have a cross-party long term plan for the NHS.

Hear from Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks.

In further health news, we're being urged to look out for vulnerable people as a heat health alert comes into force in Kent.

Summer's finally arrived with temperatures hitting up to 27c over the next few days.

A disused train carriage has had an amazing transformation into a café at a special needs school in Maidstone.

The project at Five Acre Wood will also see pupils trained in hospitality skills - reporter Cara Simmonds has been along to have a look around.

You can also hear today from a Sheppey man who's through to the final of Mr Gay Great Britain and is hoping to use the platform to raise awareness.

Jordan Chan from Halfway already volunteers with Swale Pride, but says he entered the national competition to drive more positive change in the community.

And finally, the owner of a popular corner shop plans to keep working 'for as long as her body allows' as she celebrates 40 years in business.

Bella Patel took over Savers Newsagents in Faversham Road, Kennington, with her late husband John in June 1984.

A man has been left needing six stiches following an unprovoked attack while visiting Canterbury.

Sergio Pagliarini was walking back to his car after dinner when a man punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Also in today's episode, a horse rider has spoken out about the moment her pony was attacked while she was riding with her family in Medway.

Shannon Edwards had taken her seven-year-old son Alfie for his first ride at Riverside Country Park on Tuesday when a dog rushed at them.

After a hustings in Canterbury earlier this week, we have been chatting to a first-time voter to see what he thought of the debate.

18-year-old Luca Fasulo says there wasn't enough of a focus on young people.

Elsewhere, JLS star and Kent Farmer JB Gill is urging the next government to continue the conversation about sustainable food production  

A new survey has found two-thirds of supermarket shoppers are more concerned about how products are sourced.

Footage has emerged showing the moment an Ashford drug dealer was arrested during a police raid.

The 31-year-old was part of a county lines gang that sold cocaine and heroin, and has now been sent to prison.

And Maidstone is set to host its first ever Pride event this weekend.

There will be a parade, party and live performances in the town tomorrow.