Sittingbourne

Local motorists have been warned to expect delays for the next month on the M2 due to ongoing roadworks.

Work is currently under way to "repair and strengthen the foundations of the carriageway to maintain safety" between junctions 5 and 6 for Sittingbourne and Faversham and is set to end on Wednesday 21st December. Lane two will be closed in both directions on either side of the central reserve and narrow lanes will be in operation in lane one and on the hard shoulder, with a 50mph speed limit in place.

Officers investigating a serious collision in Sittingbourne are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened in Staplehurst Road at about 3.45pm on Friday (18th November) afternoon.

A four-year-old boy was taken to a London hospital after the car he was travelling in - a silver Citroen Xsara Picasso - was involved in a collision with a brick wall.

His condition is currently described as serious but stable.

Two other children in the car were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Kent Police are investigating a reported burglary in Sittingbourne over the weekend.

Between midnight and 7.30am on Sunday (30th October) it was alleged that two bicycles were stolen from a garden shed in Rock Road by forcing it's door lock.

A red and grey Bianchi Intenso road bike with a chrome bottom bracket and a Carrera bike were reported stolen.

The garden may have been entered using a rear alleyway that leads onto Burley Road.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) dealt with a fire involving approximately 300 tonnes of baled hay in Matts Hill Road, Hartlip earlier today (Wednesday 26th October).

Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier were sent to the scene. Fire crews used two main jets and a hose reel to prevent the fire spreading to surrounding shrubbery.

Kent Police are investigating a report of a robbery at Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne.

It is reported that around 9pm on Friday (7th October), a woman in her 30s was getting out of her car when a man threatened her demanding money.

It is reported that a quantity of cash was stolen.

The man is described as 5ft 8ins to 5ft 11ins with a foreign accent and wearing a dark hooded top with the hood pulled up, and a cream scarf across his face.

It is reported that he ran off towards Manor Grove.

Seven people were arrested by Kent Police after officers executed drug warrants across Sittingbourne late last week.

On Thursday 22nd September officers executed five drug warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Work has begun on the new community centre for the Great Easthall estate in Murston.

Lakeview Village Hall is being built on the edge of the development, with funding coming from the estate developers, with the construction works are being overseen by Swale Borough Council. Once completed it will be open to anyone who needs to hire a hall or a room for their functions.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) have confirmed that two people were treated for the affects of breathing in smoke following a fire in a garage connected to a two-storey house in London Road, Sittingbourne earlier this evening (Friday 16th September).

A man and a woman were given oxygen therapy by firefighters and were then attended to by an ambulance crew from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb).

The fire is believed to have started in a washing machine. Crews wearing breathing apparatus put out the blaze using a hose reel.

Kent Police officers, investigating a rape in Sittingbourne last weekend, have charged a 32-year-old local man.

George Orwa, of Agate Court on The Meads, was charged with rape on Saturday (20th August) and appeared before Medway Magistrates Court earlier today (Monday 22nd August).

His charge follows an incident where a woman reported being raped near a church on Sittingbourne High Street between 1.28am and 1.58am on Sunday 14th August.

Orwa was remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 19th September.

Hundreds of sixth form students from Borden Grammar, Fulston Manor, Highsted, Sittingbourne Community College and Westlands picked up their A Level results earlier today.

Nationally a record numbers of university places have been offered this year - with A-level results showing a marginal fall in top grades for the fifth successive year. Nationally the proportion of A* and A grades was 25.8%, down by 0.1% on last year but the pass rate of 98.1% remained the same. The UCAS admissions service said that 424,000 places had been offered, which is up by 3% on results day last year.