Local News

Youngsters from the Isle of Sheppey's Bay Kidz Club and Cheyne Middle School receive a Highly Commended prize for their film "Seen But Not Heard" from Cllr John Morris (right) and former Cllr Trevor Fentiman, at the previous Awards.

The organisers of Kent Film Awards, part of this year's Swale Film Festival sponsored by 106.9 SFM, are inviting all local youngsters to make a movie during their summer holidays for the chance to win film making equipment and a trip to the world-famous Pinewood studios.

You can enter on your own or perhaps get together as a group ie: your school, youth group, church group or maybe even just a few friends. You can select any theme as a basis for your film and all you have to do is get hold of a camera, or If all else fails, why not just use your mobile phone. Get together and devise a script of five to ten minutes long. You may need help from someone to produce your final DVD. 

There are two age groupings this year - Ages 10 to 15 years and Ages 16 to 21 years (or 25 for special needs groups).

There is also a third ‘open' competition which is for previously made films up to five minutes long. Entrants here can be aged 10 to 21 (or 25 for special needs groups) and there are no film theme restrictions.

For more information please visit:- http://www.kentfilmawards.org.uk.

Kent Police have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses following the discovery of a man's body on the Isle of Sheppey yesterday.

A post mortem examination concluded that the man, who has yet to be identified, died of significant head injuries.

The man has been described as white, aged between 30-40 years old, around 5ft 6ins tall and was bald.

In a bid to help identify the man, detectives have released an image of a ring the man was wearing on his wedding finger.

Anyone with any information is being urged to speak to officers in person at the Warden Bay Village Hall on Warden Bay Road in Leysdown, or they can call 101 (quoting CAD 07-0167) or Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Officers are appealing for information following a serious collision on the M2 earlier today (Friday 2nd August).

Kent Police were called just after 6.00am to a report of a two vehicle collision on the coast-bound carriageway of the M2 between junction 6 for Faversham and junction 7 at Brenley Corner.

The incident involved a white Renault lorry and a black Ford Transit.

On driver had to be cut free from his vehicle by the Kent Fire & Rescue Service was taken to the Royal London Hospital via the Kent Air ambulance with injuries described as serious. The other driver was taken to the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, with injuries described as minor.

The coast-bound carriageway of the M2 was closed for around six hours whilst the vehicles were recovered and for debris and fuel to be cleared from the carriageway. 

Witnesses to the collision, or anyone who may have seen the vehicles prior to the collision, is asked to contact the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, or alternatively they can contact Kent CrimeStoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police officers at Sittingbourne have just released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the robbery of a 93-year-old woman in Lynsted.

They are investigating a reported robbery in Cellar Hill that took place between 1.55pm and 2.07pm on Tuesday 16th July. The victim was sitting in her living room when a man walked through her kitchen door and told her he was there to collect money for the window cleaning. Knowing he was not her window cleaner, the lady stood up from her chair. The offender then pushed her back down and forcibly held her in place before stealing her black purse out of her knitting bag. The purse contained bank cards and £300 in cash. He then ran out of the front door.

The offender is described as white, with dark short hair and a longish face. He was clean-shaven and is estimated to have been in his late 20s.

Detectives have now released the image (above) of a man they believe would be able to help them with their enquiries.

Senior investigating officer, DCI Ann Lisseman, told SFM News: "While the victim suffered no injuries, we are classing this as robbery because the offender used force to restrain his vulnerable victim.
Someone out there must recognise this man and I'd ask you to call into us as soon as possible. Targeting an elderly lady and stealing her belongings is a despicable thing to do and we are following up every possible line of enquiry to find the offender and bring him to justice. Despite her ordeal, the victim has shown remarkable courage and fortitude in helping us compile an e-fit, and I'd like to commend her for her bravery."

Anybody with information is asked to call 01795 419230, quoting crime reference XY/021845/13 or, alternatively, they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.