A minute’s silence will be held at Deal’s Rivals club on Saturday so customers can pay their respects to the man who died after a night out there. Michael Bowes, who was 25, had been partying at the Queen Street venue last Saturday night.

Police who took four hours to attend when a gun was found in a Deal playground have defended their late response because it was “not a threat to safety.”

Neighbours determined to halt proposals for a solar farm on their doorsteps have won the first round in the battle. On Thursday the district council’s planning committee voted against the development, despite officers recommending the proposals be approved for the land at Each End, between Sandwich and Ash.

Sport England has given £50,000 National Lottery funding to the Downs Sailing Club in Walmer and the community is invited to celebrate the investment tomorrow (Friday).

Entertainment and sunshine galore helped make the annual Picnic on the Green a big success on Saturday. Walmer Parish Council organised the day out and visitors to Walmer Green included Deal MP Charlie Elphicke and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Admiral the Lord Boyce.

These are some of the top stories in this week's East Kent Mercury - out now.