A huge fire's broken out at an industrial estate in Strood - with smoke visible from miles away.

Crews were called to the Viridor recycling centre on the Medway City Estate just before six this morning. Hear from a reporter at the scene and a man who works nearby.

Also in today's podcast, a hosepipe ban has been announced for a large part of Kent as the hot weather puts pressure on supplies.

South East Water say in recent weeks demand has increased to record levels for this time of year. We've been hearing from the Water Supply Director at the company.

A car salesman has told us he could be forced to close his business in Sittingbourne after a wall collapsed onto a number of vehicles.

Tom Bowles reckons the damage to his fleet of vehicles could reach £120,000 - he has been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley.

The first electric aircraft of its kind has crossed the Channel to Kent.

The two-seater plane touched down in Lydd before making the onward trip to Rochester Airport.

A team of four pilots aged between 17 and 23 and involved in the project to reduce CO2 emissons and noise pollution.

A Kent dad who plays in a Madness tribute band will honour his daughter by performing at a festival more than two years after her death.

Caitlin Goodsell was aged just 17 when she passed away in 2023 - after being diagnosed with a complicated heart condition when she was just eight weeks old.

Preston Summerfest in Canterbury is raising money for Demelza children's hospice.

And in sport, it's another pre-season friendly for Gillingham this weekend.

They're hosting Reading at Priestfield tomorrow.

A police officer was seen “bleeding” after coming out of a house before a lengthy stand-off at a property.

At least nine police vehicles were called to the property in Sheerness after two officers were reportedly assaulted.

Also in today’s podcast, businesses and residents at the centre of everyday delays on a historic bridge are calling for a solution.

You can hear from residents who say getting stuck at a standstill waiting to cross Yalding Town Bridge has been a challenge for the last 15 years.

Volunteers behind a new “social supermarket” aimed at tackling poverty stigma and reducing reliance on foodbanks say nearly 200 people have signed up in just the first few weeks.

The Dartford Larder, based at Copperfields Walk in the town centre, offers discounted food to members struggling on low incomes.

You can hear about a wine-snatching burglar who was stopped by a man in a dressing gown who leapt out of a sauna to chase him down.

The thief was seen through the kitchen window of a home near Canterbury.

And, the King is coming to Kent this today for his first official visit to the county since ascending the throne.

His Majesty is visiting Walmer and Deal and meeting with a community group who clean up the beaches – we’ve spoken to one of their volunteers.

More details have emerged about a man who was shot by police in a village near Maidstone

Footage from body-worn cameras shows he was wielding a chainsaw and wearing a gas mask – and had what officers thought was an improvised explosive device.

Also in today’s podcast, a mum whose son suffered heat exhaustion at school as temperatures hit 32 degrees says making pupils wear trousers during a heatwave is “inhumane”.

The 12-year-old has to collected from school as he felt “dizzy and unwell” on what was the hottest day of the year so far.

There’s also a warning for local traders who have been told there’s no excuse for still selling single use vapes.

It’s after a ban came in more than a month ago – since then more than 24,000 non compliant devices have been seized across the county.

A Kent Police officer has been jailed after persuading relatives to take the rap for two speeding offences he had committed.

The officer who worked at Medway Police Station, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after family members claimed they had been driving the car.

And in sport you can hear from the Gillingham manager after victory in their pre-season friendly against Dover.

Gareth Ainsworth says it was good to see some young players get some game time in the 1 – nil win.

A man has been seriously injured after being shot by police at an address near Maidstone.

Kent Police have confirmed they were in Hollingbourne last night to make an arrest when a firearm was discharged.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed it is investigation.

Also in today's podcast, staff at a Kent animal sanctuary say they are shocked and heartbroken over the theft of one of their goats.

Taco had only been at Buttercups for just over 24 hours when he was taken.

We've been getting an update from the boss behind the restoration of the Leas Lift in Folkestone.

The historic landmark has been closed since 2017, but work is now well underway to bring it back to life.

Once the £6.6 million renovation is complete it'll carry passengers from the promenade to the seafront.

A paramedic working in Kent has been telling us how it feels when former patients reach out to say thank you.

Callum Burnett is part of the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex team - giving life saving support to the most critical cases across the county.

And in sport, Gillingham play their first pre-season friendly tonight.

They're travelling to take on Dover Athletic at the Crabble - hear from midfielder Jonny Williams.

A Kent woman says she’s been forced back into homelessness and is “living out of carrier bags” after being “kicked out” of her makeshift home.

Kelly Cardwell said her life was finally getting back on track after a year of sofa surfing when she found a converted garage room to rent – but council have told her she has to leave.

Also in today’s podcast, we've been hearing from a Kent charity, on how to spot the subtle signs of alcohol dependency in the work place.

It's a new campaign from the Kenward Trust in Yalding - which will feature real life stories from people who alcohol use impacted their working lives.

A new inclusion centre will open in Kent next month, to help support children with additional needs who are struggling in mainstream education.

The Daffodil Project will offer programs for so-called "corridor kids" - who are at risk of being left behind or isolated because of unmet needs.

Fierce objections have been raised against plans for 45 houses and a 66-bedroom care home on a farmer’s fields with a neighbour claiming it will “absolutely spoil” the town.

The proposed development, which also includes the potential to transfer land to Sandwich Technology School for a new sports pitch, has been put to council.

And kmfm’s campaign to replenish food banks in Kent during the summer holiday is back for 2025.

Last year, you donated more than 9-point 2 tonnes of tins that were distributed across the county – on today’s podcast you car hear from one of the charities who will benefit.

A Ramsgate man's facing life in prison after being found guilty of murdering his baby daughter.

A court heard Thomas Holford, 25, of Wallwood Road had smoked cannabis in the hours before shaking five week old Everleigh Stroud, and leaving her with a catastrophic brain injury.

Also in today's podcast, the East Thanet MP is calling for more to be done in future to prevent a repeat of trouble seen in Broadstairs.

Fights broke out on the beach, local shops were targeted and a restaurant smashed up around a fortnight ago. We've been speaking to Polly Billington who is holding a public meeting.

Plans to build Netflix-linked film studios in Kent have had to be dropped - with bosses saying the scheme is economically unviable.

The streaming giant was expected to make Ashford's abandoned Newtown railway works its UK base as part of a £250 million redevelopment.

The co-owner of a Kent karting circuit says a huge new facility there will make it a real world class venue.

Buckmore Park in Chatham has been given the go-ahead to build a state-of-the-art simulator room, new restaurant, bar and viewing terrace known as The Paddock.

A market for young people to sell home-made products is taking place in Ramsgate this weekend.

It's the third of its kind and the first in the town after the previous two were held in Margate.

And, the annual Kent County Show gets underway today.

The three day event will showcase farming, agriculture and countryside life, there will also be retailers, food stalls and family attractions.

A woman aged in her 20s has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash.

Police say it happened as a black Ford Fiesta and a black BMW X5 were travelling south along Stone Street last night.

Also in today’s podcast, residents are worried plans for 750 homes will add to the traffic problems already plaguing a town.

Developers have asked residents in Lower Rainham about a possible development on land off Pump Lane, recently included for housing in Medway Council’s draft Local Plan.

Wetherspoon bosses have defended refusing to serve a disabled woman who brought her assistance dog into one of its pubs.

She was about to eat with a friend in the pub in Herne Bay when she was challenged over her shih tzu.

Thousands of people still have no water or low pressure following continuing supply issues in the hot weather.

South East Water has apologised to customers on part of the Kent coast for the problems, which started yesterday morning.

And a pub on Sheppey has reopened under new management after a £200,000 refurb.

After being closed for a month for the revamp the new bosses have welcomed more than 200 punters into its new-look premises.

Water bosses have apologised after thousands of customers were left without water, or very low pressure, as temperatures topped 34C.

South East Water say the problem in Herne Bay was caused by particularly high demand across the county which caused storage levels of treated drinking water to 'fall significantly'.

Also in today's podcast, residents in Snodland say anti-social teenagers are becoming a growing problem - with youngsters blocking pavements and damaging property.

It's a particular issue on the High Street, where some people have been threatened and intimidated.

We've been hearing from a refugee charity about what they think can be done to bring down the number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent.

It's after figures from the Home Office revealed just under 20,000 made the journey in the first six months of this year, a 48% increase on the same period in 2024.

One of the men who used to be in charge of finances at Kent County Council says he doesn't know what Reform's DOGE team expects to find.

The department of government efficiency are out to cut "wasteful" spending after the party won the local election in May.

Joely Richardson has visited a community allotment project in Margate to see how it's helping children's mental wellbeing and development.

The actress is an ambassador for Save the Children which funds the project.

We've been hearing from Craig David ahead of his sold out summer concert in Rochester.

He'll be performing in the castle grounds on July 6th.

And in sport, Kent's Zak Crawley's due to open the batting for England in the second Test against India.

He hit 65 in the second innings of the first game.