kmfm news

NEWS: School children in Deal are having lessons in water safety, following a number of deaths in the UK during the recent heatwave. The Sea Sense programme aims to teach youngsters about the dangers of rip tides, currents and waves #kmfmnews

NEWS: Maidstone councillor and former NHS director Stuart Jeffery says the changes will be 'devastating' to many people wanting to have a baby #kmfmnews

VIDEO: More than 3,000 homes in Kent are still affected by water supply problems this afternoon South East Water say it's a result of increased demand during the recent heatwave #kmfmnews

NEWS: A Kent mum has started a petition to save children's services at the Hospice in the Weald. Kaz's son Kit has complex needs, and gets home visits from a team which could soon be cut #kmfmnews kentonline.co.uk/weald/news/i-burst-into-tears-when-told-the-hospice-was-withdrawing-it-340913/

NEWS: Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran is promising to hold companies to account with the new Water Resilience Partnership. It comes as South East Water warns supply problems could continue into the weekend #kmfmnews

VIDEO: There are calls for a water supply emergency to be declared in Kent as thousands of homes remain without working taps The Green Party at KCC says persistent problems should be examined by a scrutiny committee #kmfmnews

VIDEO: A Kent toy company is warning about a rise in fake NeeDoh fidget toys being sold across the UK Bigjigs Toys in Folkestone is the official distributor of the products Bosses say we can identify the fakes by their strong chemical smell, greasy feel and unbranded packaging #kmfmnews

VIDEO: kmfm's been hearing how a new book tells the full story of work to rescue five lions from Ukraine and bring them to Kent Cam Whitnall, who runs the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, organised a mission to save the animals from the war-torn country in 2024 #kmfmnews

NEWS: A Kent MP is setting up a summer school to help inspire the next generation of political leaders. Young people aged between 18 and 24 will get the chance to learn how the system works, as well as practicing skills like public speaking #kmfmnews

NEWS: There's a warning about possible wildfires in Kent as the hot, dry weather continues James Kirk is a group manager for Kent Fire and Rescue #kmfmnews

NEWS: We're being urged to make sure we stay safe in the sea and rivers in Kent while trying to cool off during the hot weather. Kent Fire and Rescue Service says hidden dangers in the water could be dangerous #kmfmnews

NEWS: Campaigners who want the UK to rejoin the EU are making their way through Kent, almost 10 years since the Brexit Referendum. They're walking from London to Brussels, delivering a book of messages to the European Parliament #kmfmnews

WATCH: Hundreds of people are going to be in Canterbury later as the city hosts the only UK leg of an urban orienteering event... Brian Henry is one of the organisers from Saxons Orienteering Club, he has been speaking to #kmfmnews

NEWS: There's been a significant decrease in knife crime in Kent, but we're being urged to keep talking about the issue. Police are visiting schools and doing test purchases in shops as part of continued efforts to reduce offences #kmfmnews

NEWS: A dad who works for Kent's air ambulance charity has been telling us how he wants to give back after they saved his life. Warren Porritt is teaming up with three colleagues on a fundraising challenge, walking five marathons in five days #kmfmnews www.justgiving.com/page/warrenp...

NEWS: It's hoped new measures being introduced in Margate will tackle issues around underage drinking. The Community Alcohol Partnership sees the police work with the council, schools and shops to educate teenagers about the health risks and anti-social behaviour #kmfmnews

VIDEO: The parents of a young boy from Kent with Tourette Syndrome are hoping to set up a support group for other youngsters Seven-year-old Max was diagnosed last year #kmfmnews Read more: kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/doctors-dismissed-our-sons-symptoms-as-tics-i-was-bangin-340231/

WATCH: Credo Care based in Lydd on Romney Marsh, specialises in helping youngsters with disabilities and complex needs. They find foster homes for children in Kent who are sometimes too sick to leave hospital... Richard Powell is managing director of the agency:

NEWS: A Kent charity has been telling us how they're helping people who are stuck in the cycle of mental health issues and homelessness. Porchlight is part of Live Well Kent and Medway, which is a network of support services in the county #kmfmnews

VIDEO: A new group has been set up to try and improve standards for mental health nurses in Kent Demand for support services has risen in recent years, and now a Nursing Council has been established by the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust #kmfmnews

VIDEO: Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin has told us whoever takes over at South East Water will face a big challenge David Hinton announced on Friday he's standing down as chief executive It follows criticism over the handling of major outages in Kent #kmfmnews

NEWS: Students at Herne Bay High School are going to be trained to become wellbeing ambassadors. The programme which was piloted at the Uni of Kent shows young people what to look out for among their friends, and how to deal with it #kmfmnews

NEWS: UNISON has raised concerns about the impact water issues are having on nurses, cleaners and catering staff #kmfmnews

NEWS: It's hoped a new pilot scheme in Kent will make it easier for victims of domestic abuse to get support with their mental health. Experts are working alongside volunteers at a drop-in hub in Maidstone to offer help all in one place #kmfmnews

VIDEO: Three lions have arrived at an animal park in Kent as part of a vital breeding programme There are currently only 600 Asiatic lions left in the world. Two year-olds Theo, Rakesh and Thor are settling into life at Wingham Wildlife Park #kmfmnews

NEWS: Richard de Coverly is a paramedic and head of operations at the air ambulance charity that covers Kent. He says increasing fuel costs are a real worry #kmfmnews

NEWS: The MP for Dartford says lessons need to be learnt after a major water supply issue at Darent Valley hospital #kmfmnews More details here: kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/critical-incident-declared-at-hospital-as-water-supply-crisi-339877/

WATCH: A Star Wars themed protest is being held in Kent today, May the 4th, as part of a fight to save a derelict cinema in Deal #kmfmnews Fay Franklin is chair of Reopen the Regent:

WATCH: The annual Sweeps Festival is kicking off today for the whole weekend with free bus travel across Medway. Councillor Nina Gurung spoke to #kmfmnews kentonline.co.uk/whats-on/news/all-you-need-to-know-as-rochester-sweeps-festival-returns-fo-339441/

NEWS: Ombudsman chief exec Rebecca Hilsenrath says concerns were repeatedly raised in the months before the stabbing #kmfmnews

WATCH: Protestors are gathering Whitstable this morning demanding urgent reform to the UK's water industry. It's after recent TV drama Dirty Business highlighted the scale of sewage discharges into our waterways. Catherine Chapman is from SOS Whitstable #kmfmnews

VIDEO: Thousands of people are expected Hadlow College near Tonbridge this weekend for their annual lambing event #kmfmnews Read more: kentonline.co.uk/whats-on/news/more-than-10-000-animal-lovers-expected-to-flock-to-huge-two-339255/

WATCH: Community celebrations are taking place across Gravesham and Dartford today to mark Saint George's Day. Hundreds of school children will be taking part in the festivities which include parades and live acts. Gurvinder Sandher is from organisers Cohesion Plus #kmfmnews

WATCH: A Kent mum has told us she wants the death of her young son to mean something after he crashed into a bin lorry while cycling Jack Bruce died in September 2021 following the collision in Swanley His mum Yvonne is now campaigning for increased safety measures #kmfmnews

WATCH: A family event's being held in Lydd to raise awareness of plans for three new solar farms... Campaigners are fighting the proposals which they say will industrialise a large area of prime farmland on Romney Marsh. Kim Gowing is from Hands Off Our Marsh:

TODAY: Thousands of people are expected in Gravesend as annual Vaisakhi celebrations take place... A huge parade will be leaving the town's Gurdwara at 11.45am today. General Secretary Jagdev Singh Virdee spoke to #kmfmnews

WATCH: A popular heritage railway line in Kent reopens today after major work to replace a bridge. Jonnie Pay is general manager of the Spa Valley Railway #kmfmnews Read more: www.kentonline.co.uk/tunbridge-we...

WATCH: Students are being encouraged to come forward for a second dose of vaccine, following a deadly outbreak of Meningitis in Kent. Dr Kate Lanford from NHS Kent and Medway has been telling us why it's so important to get two jabs #kmfmnews

VIDEO: Medway MP Naushabah Khan has joined a campaign calling for tighter alcohol restrictions on delivery apps following the death of a local man #kmfmnews Read more: kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/mp-backs-sisters-fight-to-tighten-delivery-app-alcohol-rest-338864/

VIDEO: Parents have been left scrambling to find places for their children following the sudden closure of a school in Thanet St Lawrence College in Ramsgate has gone into administration #kmfmnews Read more: www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/...

WATCH: Work's underway to help families affected by a fire at a housing estate in Greenhithe. Two properties at Ingress Park have been destroyed. kmfm spoke to local councillor Carol Gale #kmfmnews

WATCH: We've been told the "vast majority" of medical appointments in Kent should still be going ahead - despite a strike by resident doctors. The medics are walking out until next Monday over a pay dispute. Dr Kate Langford is chief of Kent and Medway NHS #kmfmnews

NEWS: Two tall ships have arrived in Ramsgate as part of an expedition ahead of the Invictus Games. They're being crewed by a team of veterans who are sailing 2,000 miles around the UK. It's been organised by Turn to Starboard to raise awareness of support for veterans #kmfmnews

Part of the M20 is going to be closed tonight for work to install Operation Brock. The contraflow between Maidstone and Ashford is used to queue lorries if there's disruption to cross Channel services. Toby Howe is from the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum #kmfmnews

NEWS: We're being encouraged to count the bug splats on our number plates as part of an annual survey. Bugs Matter has found a reduction in insect numbers in recent years, which experts say is worrying for the ecosystem #kmfmnews