With the new year kick-starting, reporter Katie Davis takes a look back at the biggest stories brought to you by the Thanet Extra in 2018.

There has been plenty of tears, cheer, tragedy and trials in the past year.

Here's a look at what hit headlines throughout 2018.

January

Shockwaves were sent through the district when postman Vince Marsh was left with serious injuries in a hit-and-run in Margate on January 7.

Driver Sheree Fogarty later escaped with a suspended prison sentence in November.

Mother-of-one Julia Brown died when a fire ripped through her Broadstairs home.

And plans were announced by health bosses proposing the creation of three hyper-acute stroke units across the county – which would mean the loss of the facility at Margate’s QEQM Hospital.

February

The month saw political turmoil at Thanet District Council when a group of Ukip councillors broke away from the party. Within a fortnight, council leader Cllr Chris Wells quit the position, before Cllr Bob Bayford (Con) took over.

Hard-working pupils at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School were stung with a loss of £60,000 after a charity hit with financial issues failed.

March

Beachgoers were horrified to find thousands of starfish and other marine creatures washed up on Ramsgate’s main beach and at Dumpton Gap.

As freezing temperature and snow hit the Isle, tragedy struck when a man was found dead on a road by ambulance crews in Westgate-on-Sea.

The Archbishop of Canterbury made an unusual visit to Ramsgate’s Royal Victoria Pavilion. The Most Reverend Justin Welby answered questions while clutching a pint at the Wetherspoon branch.

Meanwhile, the-then housing secretary Sajid Javid wrote to Thanet District Council threatening to send his chief planner to the district to take control of the authority’s future housebuilding plans.

April

A man died when three people were washed off the pier at Ramsgate Harbour by a large wave.

Dreamland announced that nine new rides would be opening in time for summer.

May

Plans for a multi-colour 117-bedroom hotel in Ethelbert Crescent in Margate were given the green light.

Campaigners fought against controversial parking-charge proposals for the summer season at Minnis Bay and other seaside locations.

June

Proposals for a £6.5million expansion of Bethesda Medical Centre in Margate to make it a ‘one-stop-shop’ for 32,000 patients were given the go-ahead.

Margate Magistrates Court heard how a racist rant by Mark Sweet left business owner Shahid Munir shaken and afraid to open his shop.

July

Paula the polar bear made her way to Margate to greet crowds following a successful fundraiser by the Turner Contemporary.

Thanet’s draft Local Plan was approved by the council, before going into its pre-submission stage for public viewing and comment period for six weeks.

Tragedy struck on a busy summer’s day when six-year-old Dajahnel Young died after her being found lifeless on Margate beach.

August

We revealed that just 0.3% of ambulances destined for Ashford from Thanet reached the William Harvey Hospital within an hour of the 999 call being made.

Planning chiefs agreed to look at a development consent order submitted by RiverOak Strategic Partners to reopen Manston airport.

The summer months came to an energetic end, with hundreds scaling sandy climbs in the mile-long Red Bull Quicksand run challenge.

September

A huge fire ravaged a warehouse at Westwood Industrial Estate near Margate for 25 days.

Despite being put out more than two months ago, mountains of charred waste remain at the site – with a clean-up yet to take place.

October

Ambitious plans were unveiled for a five-storey hotel next to Dreamland.

Craig Mackinlay’s expenses trial began, with eight weeks of hearings throughout October, November and December - before the jury retired until the New Year.

There was more upset for health campaigners when plans were tabled for a major shake-up of the hospital in east Kent, with one option threatening the loss of the A&E and maternity facilities at QEQM Hospital.

November

Ross Edgley became the first man to swim around mainland Britain on November 4, having started and finished his epic five-month challenge in Margate

The month came to a shocking end, with a sickening attack on a 12-year-old schoolgirl which made national headlines.

The vile assault on Evee-Anne Cooper in Margate was filmed on a mobile phone and shared widely on social media. Three girls were arrested.

December

This month saw the unveiling of a £12million regeneration plan for The Lido in Cliftonville.

Father and son developers Ralph and Alistair Noel are hoping to transform the seaside site into a 110-bed hotel along with 94 apartments.

Lee Vernon, 20, appeared in court accused of murdering his six-week-old son Mckenzie Ellis, who died on July 26. A provisional trial date is set for May 20.