Local News

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) have confirmed that they responded earlier today (Wednesday 5th July) to a serious collision on the Sheppey Way in Bobbing.

KFRS were working alongside colleagues from Kent Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and the HEMS paramedics.

The collision involves a motorcyclist and an Large Goods Vehicle (LGV). Fire crews used air bags to release a casualty, who was then handed into the care of paramedics.

Several properties were struck by lightning earlier today (22nd June) during a major storm here in the Sittingbourne area.

Shortly after 11.40am two fire engines from Sittingbourne Fire Station responded to a detached garage fire in College Road, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. A hose reel and short extension ladder were used and crews made the scene safe.

Firefighters were also called to reports of a shed being struck in Orchard Road. There crews used a hose reel, a short extension ladder and small tools to tackle the fire in the roof void of the shed.

The Forum Shopping Centre, here in Sittingbourne, has announced the winner of their Father's Day Competition as Alan Larner.

The competition offered shoppers and online followers the chance to win a luxury dinner for two at The Holiday Inn Coniston Hotel plus a fantastic piece of jewellery courtesy of F Hinds, which is located within the shopping centre.

Members of the public entered the competition by sharing their most special and favourite things about their dad on The Forum's Facebook page.

The Forum's centre management team picked Alan Larner after his daughter, Jessica Larner, nominated him and uploaded a heart-warming photo of herself and her dad from 1990.

Alan told SFM News: "I'm thrilled to have been chosen as the winner of The Forum's social media competition. I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful family and we really enjoyed celebrating Father's Day in style at The Coniston."

Monica Rana, Centre Manager at The Forum Shopping Centre, told SFM News: "We loved hearing all about the wonderful things fathers are doing daily for their families and I hope that Alan enjoyed his well-deserved prizes. I'm delighted that here at The Forum we're able to reward families in our local community and I would like to say a very big thank you to The Coniston Hotel and F Hinds who collaborated with us on this special promotion. I highly encourage shoppers to keep an eye on our website and social media pages for more competitions like this one".

The M2 is currently closed whilst emergency services deal with a serious collision between a van and motorcycle between Junctions 6 and 7 at Faversham.

The coast-bound carriageway is expected to remain closed for the next few hours while emergency services deal with the incident, causing lengthy delays.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area if possible.

Kent Police have confirmed that the incident was reported to them at 8.24am this morning (Friday 16th June).

It is the second time this week that that particular stretch of the M2 motorway has been closed. It was closed for more than six hours on Wednesday (14th June) after a crash involving a car transporter and two lorries.