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Latest pictures as new McDonald's and Costa to open this month

Latest pictures as new McDonald's and Costa to open this month

Two new drive-thru restaurants are set to open their doors for the first time this month at a busy service station.

The driving test centres in Kent where most people pass and fail

The driving test centres in Kent where most people pass and fail

We found out why some of the county’s eight driving test centres have better pass rates than others.

X Factor winner stars in musical tour

X Factor winner stars in musical tour

Singer Joe McElderry will appear in the nationwide tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

What to look forward to in Kent in 2025

What to look forward to in Kent in 2025

Music festivals, art exhibitions, charity races and national holidays – it’s all here in our 2025 Kent events calendar.

‘There are talented, dedicated kids in this town and I don’t think people realise’

‘There are talented, dedicated kids in this town and I don’t think people realise’

A personal trainer coaching young athletes in a town plagued with stories of unruly youths says there are also dedicated, hard-working kids there.

First pictures of new lion cubs at Kent zoo

First pictures of new lion cubs at Kent zoo

Four adorable lion cubs who faced a death sentence have been saved at the 11th hour by a Kent wildlife park.

EDUCATION

SEN schools threaten legal action over KCC pupil placement reforms

SEN schools threaten legal action over KCC pupil placement reforms

HEALTH

‘They’ve got to step in - this is harming children’: Parents call for phone-free childhood

‘They’ve got to step in - this is harming children’: Parents call for phone-free childhood

Teens

Parents fume as ‘packed’ school bus service cancelled

Parents fume as ‘packed’ school bus service cancelled

Angry parents have branded a bus company “irresponsible” after it axed a service used by “herds of children”.

Popular beauty store returning to shopping centre

Popular beauty store returning to shopping centre

A beauty branch is set to open at Bluewater this year after closing its previous branch back in 2012.

The driving test centres in Kent where most people pass and fail

The driving test centres in Kent where most people pass and fail

We found out why some of the county’s eight driving test centres have better pass rates than others.

See all Teens stories

Primary

Primary school ‘on the right path’ as it retains ‘Good’ grading

Primary school ‘on the right path’ as it retains ‘Good’ grading

Pupils and staff at a primary academy are celebrating after retaining their “Good” status following an inspection by the education watchdog.

School expansion opposed over fears it could put others ‘at risk’

School expansion opposed over fears it could put others ‘at risk’

Plans to enlarge one village primary have met opposition from some who believe it’s the wrong way to deal with a “temporary increase” in pupils.

Land transfer paves way for major school expansion

Land transfer paves way for major school expansion

A large parcel of land has exchanged hands to allow a “much-loved” primary school to expand and add hundreds of new places.

See all Primary stories

Toddler

‘Our son nearly died eating bread - we need EpiPens in every school’

‘Our son nearly died eating bread - we need EpiPens in every school’

The parents of a youngster who suffered an allergic reaction at nursery say there are too few adrenaline-inducing devices available in schools.

Oversubscribed primary school on new-build estate to offer more nursery places

Oversubscribed primary school on new-build estate to offer more nursery places

A highly sought-after school, which was forced to deny nursery places to children living just metres away, is to expand its popular pre-school.

‘The nursery called and said ‘don’t panic - but she’s choked’’

‘The nursery called and said ‘don’t panic - but she’s choked’’

A mum whose daughter choked at nursery is raising money to equip childcare settings with life-saving anti-choking device.

See all Toddler stories

Baby

‘Our baby wasn’t expected to live – now she’s about to have second Christmas’

‘Our baby wasn’t expected to live – now she’s about to have second Christmas’

A young girl whose parents were told they should terminate her birth after she was found to have a rare brain defect is defying the odds.

Children’s centres could face closure if council pulls funding

Children’s centres could face closure if council pulls funding

Two children’s centres face an uncertain future as Kent County Council proposes to withdraw funding.

‘I named my baby boy after my hero doctor’

‘I named my baby boy after my hero doctor’

An epileptic mum who feared losing her baby has honored her doctor in a heartwarming way.

See all Baby stories

Pregnancy

Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

Urgent appeal issued to pregnant women in Kent and Medway

Public health officials have issued a strongly worded message to pregnant women in the county after the deaths of eight babies from whooping cough.

Most popular baby names in England as Olivia and Noah remain on top

Most popular baby names in England as Olivia and Noah remain on top

Olivia and Noah remain in the top spots, says the ONS, for the most popular baby names in England and Wales but which other monikers made the top 10?

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can apply for a formal certificate from today that will acknowledge the loss of their child.

See all Pregnancy stories

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Wetherspoon confirms new pub to open in Kent

Wetherspoon confirms new pub to open in Kent

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon is set to open its latest Kent outlet in March - but you’ll struggle to guess where.

Artist behind piece that attracted over 100,000 visitors returns to Kent

Artist behind piece that attracted over 100,000 visitors returns to Kent

The man behind a popular exhibition is back with a new eye-catching installation inspired by Mars.

5 unmissable events coming to Kent in 2025

5 unmissable events coming to Kent in 2025

Start filling this year’s diary with fantastic festivals, amazing art exhibitions and more.

Latest pictures as new McDonald's and Costa to open this month

Latest pictures as new McDonald's and Costa to open this month

Two new drive-thru restaurants are set to open their doors for the first time this month at a busy service station.

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