KentOnline

Tributes have been paid to a young couple who died in a crash near Ashford.

Friends of Josh Alexander and Jessica  Poole have posted messages on socials after the tragedy in Woodchurch on Monday.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent aid worker says he fears for people in villages in southern Ukraine which have flooded following an explosion which destroyed a dam..

Low lying areas in Kherson have been left under water since the blast. Hear from Brian Grove from Sittingbourne who's currently travelling to the region.

A campaign has started in Medway to crack down on people who park illegally or inconsiderately outside schools.

The idea is to keep cars away from schools at peak times so it's safer for pupils and parents to walk. We have been speaking to councillor Tris Osborne and looking at some of your thoughts on it.

A village pub that was forced to close during the pandemic has reopened after a £150,000 revamp.

The Royal Oak in Mersham, which is a Grade II listed building, had been empty since October 2020. Reporter Liane Castle has been speaking to the new owner.

As Pride month continues we've been finding out about one of the new events happening in Kent this year.

For the first time, there'll be a Pride in Deal. Hear from one of the organisers.

And in sport, it was another defeat for Kent in the T20 Blast.

We've got details of the score against Essex at Canterbury last night.

A Kent councillor has resigned from a committee over comments he made about parents of children with special educational needs.

Simon Webb caused outrage when he suggested it was the 'in thing' for mums and dads to request an Educational Health Care Plan. Hear what's happened at the most recent SEND Sub-Committee.

Also in today's podcast, business owners in Ashford are calling for more to be done to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Reporter Liane Castle has been investigating this story and joins us on the podcast to explain more.

A Maidstone man who started a petition calling for change to how OFGEM regulates their price cap - has taken the signatures to Downing Street.

Richard Winstone says while thousands of people across the county are struggling to make ends meet, energy companies are making record profits.

The mother of a young Kent woman who took her own life at university says she'll continue fighting for a statutory duty of care for students.

Phoebe Grime from Cranbrook died while staying at halls in Newcastle two years ago. Hear from her mum Hilary following a debate in parliament.

Wildlife bosses have been given permission to build bridges so a herd of Bison can explore more woodland in part of Kent.

It's almost a year since the animals first moved into their new home at West Blean and Thornden Woods near Canterbury as part of wilding project. We've been getting an update from Kent Wildlife Trust.

And in showbiz news, Tim Minchin's coming to Kent for a one-off show.

The man behind Matilda the Musical will be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury later this month.

The owner of a Strood-based vending machine firm has spoken of his shock after receiving a council letter saying he needs a waste carriers licence.

It's after some empty coffee wrappers were found in one of his company's vans during a random stop on the Gillingham business park.

Hear from Mike Steel who has been speaking to reporter Alex Langridge.

Also in today's podcast, a former asylum seeker says the Prime Minister's plan to tackle small boat crossings, punishes the wrong people.

The illegal migration bill, which is currently going through parliament, will prevent anyone who arrives in the UK via the dangerous route from claiming asylum.

Rishan arrived in the UK when she was 17 and is now a youth influencer for Kent Refugee Action Network.

The biggest exercise of its kind since before the pandemic has taken place at Margate's Dreamland to test emergency services.

Firefighters, police and paramedics had to see how they'd respond to a music concert crowd that had been exposed to a potentially harmful chemical.

And, after the Pride Flag was raised above Medway Council's offices for the first time, campaigners are hoping the Trans Flag will be next.

Events are taking place this month to raise awareness and show support for the LGBT community.

A teenager has been left in tears after being accused of lying about her age by Southeaster ticket inspectors.

The 14-year-old was wearing her school uniform and student lanyard when she was approached at Strood station.

Also in today's podcast, the Prime Minister has been in Kent to update us on his promise to stop small boats crossing the English Channel.

It's actually six month since Rishi Sunak said he'd stop them with a new migration bill. Our reporter Sam Lennon quizzed the PM during a press conference in Dover.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing in Maidstone.

Police were called to Back Street in Langley at around 11 last night and found a man injured.

The mum of a Kent teenager who can suffer hundreds of seizures a day due to a rare form of epilepsy, fears she could lose access to vital medication.

Teagan Appleby from Aylesham takes medicinal cannabis oil to keep her condition under control. But, the doctor who prescribes it is due to retire - hear from her mum Emma.

A month on from the local elections, one of Kent's youngest councillors has been telling the Podcast he hopes to inspire the next generation.

Conservative George Perfect was elected to represent Rainham North in the May ballot - at the age of just 22. 

A Top Gear style challenge is going to be taking placing in Ashford to see which mode of transport can get to work quickest.

A local racing driver in an electric car will be making the journey from Singleton to Coachworks near the International station alongside a woman on a bike. 

We've been speaking to Liu Bathelor who'll be using pedal power to try and get to the destination first.

And in sport, Kent Spitfires suffered a last-ball defeat in their latest T20 Blast group game against Surrey - being beaten by five wickets at Canterbury .

Jamie Smith scored the run they needed off the final ball and ended not out on 49. Hear from Kent captain Sam Billings.

A teenage girl has spoken of the moment she was almost impaled by a metal pole which smashed through the window of a bus in Canterbury.

The collision happened on the A28 Sturry Road leaving three people needing hospital treatment. Elle, 17, has been speaking to Lucy.

Also in today's podcast, a school teacher who lives next to where roadworks are currently taking place in Sittingbourne, is begging for compensation and somewhere else to stay.

Susan May says the works are happening at night and no consideration is being given to those living in Sonora Fields. Hear the noise she's complaining about and find out what housing developer Redrow has had to say.

Thousands of rail staff are on strike today, causing more disruption on the trains across Kent.

Southeastern are running a limited service as members of RMT fight for better pay and working conditions.

It's National Fish & Chips day and hundreds of you have been telling us about your favourite takeaway.

We've also been chatting to the owner of Lewis's Fish & Grill in Maidstone on why it's so important to support the annual event which started in 2015.

Hear from Becky Hill who has been chatting to our sister radio station, kmfm.

Sam Lawrie has a round up of everything going on in Kent to keep you entertained this weekend.

And in sport, Kent are back in T20 Blast action tonight. The Spitfires will be hoping to bounce back from a defeat to Somerset as they travel to take on Glamorgan.

People living in a cul-de-sac in Broadstairs where a sinkhole opened up in 2009 are urging authorities to do something about the yo-yo selling of one of the homes there.

Properties in Victoria Road were evacuated just before Christmas 13 years ago after a burst water main caused damage to the foundations.

Number 58 remains subject to a dangerous structure notice but is up for auction again with a guide price of £90,000. We've been speaking to a resident of the road who recalls the time their home was evacuated.

Also in today's podcast, Rishi Sunak's expected to use a gathering of European leaders to urge cross-continental co-operation to tackle small boats crossing the Channel.

The Prime Minister's attending a meeting in Moldova today.

A domestic abuse survivor from Kent has been telling the podcast why she's created an app to help other victims to record and store evidence for police.

Emma Davey suffered regular physical attacks during a 6-year relationship with a man who ended up being sent to prison.

As Pride month gets under way, we've been speaking to one of the organisers of the biggest event in Kent.

Pride Canterbury happens in just under two weeks time and will be staged over two days for the first time this year.

And in sport, Kent's Alessia Russo and Laura Coombs have both been named in the England side for the women's world cup this summer.

Hear from manager Serina Weigman who has confirmed her squad of 23.

Drivers in Sittingbourne are angry after noticing the price of petrol in neighbouring Rainham is up to 14p per litre cheaper.

One motorist has even said she's prepared to drive the five miles to fill up. Hear what Asda and some of you say about it.

Also in today's podcast, there haven't been any trains running in Kent today as members of the ASLEF union, which represents drivers, walk out in an ongoing dispute over pay.

There'll be more disruption on Friday and no trains again on Saturday. One retailer in Herne Bay says it's a real blow during the half term break.

Longer lorries are going to be allowed on the UK's roads from today, following an 11-year government trial.

The 19 metre long trailers will be able to carry more goods, reducing the number of vehicles on the roads which saves companies money and helps the environment. Hear from Tunbridge Wells based Logistics UK.

A Kent MP says he fears this summer could be another busy one for small boats crossing the Channel.

More than 50 people made the dangerous journey over the bank holiday weekend. We've been speaking to Thanet's Craig Mackinlay.

Joel Corry's been telling our sister radio station, kmfm, what it was like to team up with Caity Baser for their new song 'Dance Around It'.

And in sport, Kent have suffered back-to-back defeats in the T20 Blast.

The lost by 13 runs to Somerset during a rain interrupted game at Canterbury last night.

With the cost of living crisis causing pubs across the county to close their door, one establishment in Kent is so busy it's having to turn people away. 

Bosses at The Ferry Inn, in Stone-in-Onxey has now applied to expand so they can keep up with demand. 

Also in today's podcast, a supply teacher has been sacked from a Medway school after posting on Facebook about children targeting his family home.

He says he's heartbroken but bosses at the primary school say they parted ways because of safeguarding concerns.

A Maidstone man has been found in possession of an inappropriate DVD after police visited his home to make sure he was sticking to the rules of his sexual harm prevention order. 

The 57-year-old had previously been in prison for child sex offences, police became concerned after discovering he had a social media account. 

The Prime Minister has been in Kent as he looks to crack down on retailers supplying children with vapes. 

Rishi Sunak says they're closing a loophole will allows under-18's to be given a free sample. 

And in sport, Kent's Zak Crawley looks set to start the Ashes - despite his position as opening batter coming under scrutiny. 

He's failed to make a half century in his last eight international innings. 

A Tunbridge Wells woman who spent £3500 on an all inclusive trip to Cape Verde said it was the holiday from hell after finding poo in the pool. 

That was just one of the issues she encountered after saving for two years for a week long stay at the five-star resort. 

Also in today's podcast,  fresh concerns have been raised about maternity services at East Kent Hospitals as they've been downgraded to "inadequate".

On a visit in January inspectors found chronic staff shortages, poor infection control and even a risk of babies being misidentified.

A dad from Canterbury who has a hole in his heart says living in a mould-infested flat is impacting his health and making his children sick. 

Doctors have told him conditions in the flat are contributing to his respiratory problems, he says "no family should have to live like this".

Plans have been unveiled to built a £1 million cycle and walking route through Faversham.

Bosses want to reduce the reliance on cars and take pressure off local roads. 

And in sport, Gillingham Football Club have been charged by the FA over crowd control incidents. 

The club are accused of failing to ensure the safety of its spectators and supporters. 

Tributes are being left for a Gravesend school boy who took his own life. 

The death of 15-year-old Tristan Taylor has come as a shock to friends and family, who say there were no signs the popular student was struggling. 

Also in today's podcast, new figures show net migration figures have risen to an all time high. 

In the year to December it rose to more than 600,000 - you can hear the response from Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay who says the rules need changing. 

A Sittingbourne pensioner says he's afraid to go back to a supermarket after wrongfully being issued with parking fines. 

The 77-year-old insists he correctly validated his tickets but the carpark bosses disagree. 

A controversial one-way system in Maidstone is being removed just weeks after being installed

Council bosses admit it's made congestion through the area worse.

And in cricket,  the Spitfires are off to a winning start in their T20  Blast campaign. 

They cruised to an easy victory against  Gloucestershire in Canterbury last night.