Podcast: Anger as Orbit Housing tells Broadstairs residents to remove garden furniture used as 'wellbeing hub'

KentOnline

A group of neighbours have criticised a housing association after being told to remove garden furniture used as a 'wellbeing hub'.

Orbit Housing owns properties in Hopeville Avenue, Broadstairs and says the seating is a trip hazard and a misuse of a communal area. Hear from one of the residents who says gathering with friends is good for their mental health.

Also in today's podcast, staff at a Kent prison have revealed the impact of overcrowding as 1,100 more inmates are released early across England and Wales.

The government has launched a review to look at tougher punishments outside of jail to try and tackle the issue.

The M25 is back open after a huge lorry fire closed part of the motorway in Kent for around 30 hours. One of the tunnels at the Dartford Crossing is also back open after a spillage meant it had to be resurfaced. We've had an explanation from National Highways.

An Ashford man says he's 'sick and tired' of land outside his house being over run with weeds.

Andrew Baynes has lived at the property in Newlands for 24 years and claims the county council won't clear the area - despite regular calls over a number of years. Hear from him and the response from KCC.

A Chatham nurse who was told the pain she was suffering was 'all in her head' has taken to socials to share her struggles with endometriosis.

Nicole Scott was finally told she had the condition after fighting for a year to get answers.

A footballer who was racially abused by a Gillingham fan last season has spoken out about the impact it had.

Omar Bogle was playing for Newport County when someone in the crowd made an offensive gesture towards him. He's part of the EFL's Together Against Racism campaign.

A group of women, including former MP Dame Tracey Crouch, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity have been to Maidstone hospital to see what the money they raised has been spent on.

£150,000 was donated to Breast Cancer Kent for a machine that can do a mammogram on samples in the operating theatre.

And in sport, Gillingham will be hoping to end their losing streak as they host Newport County later.

Four defeats in a row have left the Gills sixth in the league two table.