‘It’s devastating!’ Coastal towns could be left with nowhere to swim

Fears are rising that residents of a coastal hotspot could soon be left with nowhere to swim amid pool closures and declining seawater quality.

Heartbreak as much-loved beauty salon boss dies aged 33

A beauty salon owner who bravely battled cancer with “dignity and grace” has died aged 33.

The village being swallowed up by 2,000 homes over seven plots

Proposals for a 650-home development include a much-needed doctors’ surgery - but villagers are not happy at the prospect of yet more house building.

Landmark town centre pub building set to become luxury flats

A long-running saga into what will happen to a historic town pub has taken another twist with plans announced to turn it into high-end apartments.

Funeral procession to go through high street for town ‘legend’

A procession will be held in a high street following the death of a beloved business owner in the town.

Thousands face ‘appalling’ waits of up to seven years for ADHD testing

Nearly 30,000 adults and children and adults are waiting to be assessed for autism and ADHD in what critics are calling a “broken” system.

One of the UK's biggest planning applications ever and why it’s taking so long to decide

As a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing is delayed again, why is it so expensive, will we have to pay a toll and where is the money coming from?

Farage eyes Kent elections as first councillor joins Reform - with 'more to follow'

Kent’s first Reform councillor claims some Tories could defect in the coming weeks - and thinks the party can “take control” of the county council.

Calls for Labour to pull the plug on 'Dartford Disneyland'

Environmentalists are calling for permission to be revoked for a £2.5bn theme park, after a planning saga lasting more than a decade.

Seal the deal: Kent’s seal-spotting excursions

Take a trip along Kent’s rivers and see if you can spot a herd of seals this autumn

Decision on £9bn Lower Thames Crossing delayed

A decision on whether to build a new road crossing under the Thames will not be made until at least May 2025.

Read all Kent news

Eat, Drink, Shop

TGI Fridays in rescue deal but 1,000 jobs lost

New Indian cash and carry will rival London stores

‘It looked more like a seaside cafe than a pub, and it gave the missus the wobbles’

Pub closes as licensees quit after just seven months

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National news

Draconid meteor shower to create celestial spectacle this week

The meteor shower, also known as the Giacobinids, should peak between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Supreme Court to hear challenge to right to wild camp on Dartmoor

Alexander and Diana Darwall are challenging an earlier ruling which said that members of the public have the right to wild camp in the national park.

What the papers say – October 8

Here are the biggest stories leading Tuesday’s front pages.

Bobby Brown sends ‘love’ after death of former mother-in-law Cissy Houston

Music stars Brown and Whitney Houston were married from 1992 to 2007.

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In Depth