Real Life

Claire’s shuts another shopping centre branch

Claire’s shuts another shopping centre branch

A well-known jewellery and accessories retailer known for its beauty and make-up products for teens has closed in a town.

Know a young hero? Let’s give them the credit they deserve

Know a young hero? Let’s give them the credit they deserve

Courageous youngsters, outstanding charities and young fundraisers are alll being sought for the 2024 Children’s Awards – who could you nominate?

Supermarket extends ‘do not eat’ warnings

Supermarket extends ‘do not eat’ warnings

Lidl is removing more snacks from its shelves amid fears they are unsafe because they could contain pieces of metal.

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Baby loss certificates for parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks

Parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can apply for a formal certificate from today that will acknowledge the loss of their child.

Supermarket recalls cookies over fears they contain metal

Supermarket recalls cookies over fears they contain metal

A supermarket is recalling various packets of cookies amid fears that the snacks could contain pieces of metal.

Nestle to axe two biscuit bars

Nestle to axe two biscuit bars

Nestle says it will no longer make two biscuit bars in its range because of declining sales, just months after Caramac bars were discontinued.

Parents urged to check their children’s ‘red books’ as UK measles cases rise

Parents urged to check their children’s ‘red books’ as UK measles cases rise

Kent and Medway parents are being asked to check their children’s ‘red book’ health records as officials try to reach those missing an MMR jab.

Six-year-old’s delight at finding rare 100-million-year-old fossil

Six-year-old’s delight at finding rare 100-million-year-old fossil

A six-year-old boy and his parents were over the moon to discover a 100-million-year-old fossil while searching for stones to skim at the beach.

Disposable vape ban explained as PM pledges to ‘protect children’s health’

Disposable vape ban explained as PM pledges to ‘protect children’s health’

Disposable vapes are to be banned, under new plans unveiled by the government, but what does the ban mean and when will it come into force?

7 illnesses that can now be treated without seeing a GP

7 illnesses that can now be treated without seeing a GP

Prescriptions for seven common illnesses, including earache and a sore throat, will now be available to many patients without the need to see a GP.

Struggling households to get £299 cash boost

Struggling households to get £299 cash boost

A cost of living payment – worth £299 – is to be sent to millions of homes but who is eligible for the cash and when will it arrive?

Energy bills could fall by £300 in April

Energy bills could fall by £300 in April

There could be some relief for families with new energy bill predictions forecasting a drop in the price of gas and electricity by the spring.

Miniature railway saved from demolition

Miniature railway saved from demolition

A council leader has pledged to keep his town’s miniature railway safe but has committed to pulling down its leisure centre.

Top 10 places Kent people are going on holiday this year

Top 10 places Kent people are going on holiday this year

New figures released by travel giants TUI reveal the top destinations people from the county are jetting off to this summer.

‘My school told me I couldn't read - now I teach kids’

‘My school told me I couldn't read - now I teach kids’

A man who was told he would never be able to read “has proved everyone wrong” and now teaches youngsters.

Popular children’s juice cartons recalled amid safety fears

Popular children’s juice cartons recalled amid safety fears

A range of children’s fruit juice cartons are being recalled by the Food Standards Agency amid fears the straws are unsafe.

Urgent ‘do not eat’ warning for baked beans sold at major supermarkets

Urgent ‘do not eat’ warning for baked beans sold at major supermarkets

Baked beans sold by a number of supermarkets are being recalled amid fears the cans could contain small pieces of rubber.

Stagecoach extends £2 single fare cap

Stagecoach extends £2 single fare cap

A bus company has announced it will extend its maximum fare scheme for another six months after seeing higher take-up.

How to spot fake chocolate after Prime bar warning?

How to spot fake chocolate after Prime bar warning?

Christmas shoppers are being warned to avoid ‘fake branded’ Prime and Wonka chocolate bars but how can you spot counterfeit items?

Royal Mail reveals what children really want this Christmas

Royal Mail reveals what children really want this Christmas

For 60 years Royal Mail has been in charge of Santa’s postbag and his replies – so what is it that children really want for Christmas this year?

29 Elf on the Shelf adventures

29 Elf on the Shelf adventures

They enjoy mess, sugary treats and keeping a close eye on the kids before Christmas so what chaos will your elf on the shelf cause this year?

Chocolate range recalled over safety fears

Chocolate range recalled over safety fears

Confectioner Mars is recalling a range of its chocolate over fears packets may contain small pieces of rubber.

Temporary library to open after water damage closed historic site last year

Temporary library to open after water damage closed historic site last year

New library services will be introduced to a town centre after the main 135-year-old building had to shut due to water damage.

NHS offers £1,230 healthy food cash to hard-pressed parents

NHS offers £1,230 healthy food cash to hard-pressed parents

Pregnant women and parents of young children can now apply for funding to help pay for milk, fruit and veg.

Free reflector keyrings up for grabs

Free reflector keyrings up for grabs

We're giving away thousands of reflective keyrings to children in Kent to help them remain visible to drivers during the darker days ahead.

Supermarket recalls chicken dippers over fears they contain plastic

Supermarket recalls chicken dippers over fears they contain plastic

Supermarket Lidl is recalling packs of its frozen chicken dippers amid fears that ‘hard blue plastic’ has made its way into the food.

Is the cost of living crisis behind a rise in hot water bottle burns to children?

Is the cost of living crisis behind a rise in hot water bottle burns to children?

Charities fear the cost of living crisis is behind a sharp rise in the number of children being burnt or scalded by hot water bottles.

Pupil absence in Kent rockets since pandemic

Pupil absence in Kent rockets since pandemic

The number of children "persistently absent" from school has more than doubled in the last five years.

Are you eligible for an extra £300 before Christmas?

Are you eligible for an extra £300 before Christmas?

Eight million homes will get an extra £300 before Christmas as the government dishes out a second cost of living payment but who can get the cash?

Warning over rise in tuberculosis cases as efforts to eliminate it ‘stall’

Warning over rise in tuberculosis cases as efforts to eliminate it ‘stall’

Cases of tuberculosis are rising but what is it, what are the symptoms and why doesn’t the NHS any longer offer all children immunisation?

50 popular Christmas toys since 1973

50 popular Christmas toys since 1973

The most popular Christmas toys to have topped children’s wish lists since 1973 have been revealed by Argos – but how many of them do you remember?

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