BBC Live: Kent - as it happened on Wednesday 26 July 2017

Summary

Our live coverage has ended for the day
Updates on Wednesday 26 July 2017

Live Reporting

'Wait till she shows you how she can bat'published at 09:05 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter
From being the only girl in a boys' team in Sandwich, to being Player of the Tournament in England's World Cup winning side, opening bat Tammy Beaumont is putting women's cricket on the map.
Rail services affected after incident at Herne Baypublished at 08:47 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Emergency services are dealing with an incident on the railway line at Herne Bay which means that all lines are blocked.
Southeastern says services running between Margate and Faversham will be cancelled and disruption is expected until 10:00 BST.The company says that where possible, trains are being diverted to run via alternative routes and replacement buses are being arranged to run for stations via Herne Bay.
We'll bring you more details as soon as we can.
Bird lovers tackle turtle dove declinepublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Image source, Andrew Edginton
One of the UK's most threatened bird species has had its breeding groups in Kent saved after a group of villagers stepped in to stop it being sold off.
For more than eight years Staple, near Sandwich, has been a summer home to migratory turtle doves.
When their feeding ground was being sold last summer, RSPB conservationists David and Ann Tingey and David and Bridget Burridge stepped in, using their own money and donations from friends to buy the plot.
A flock of eight turtle doves and up to three youngsters are now frequently seen foraging at the site.
Image source, Andrew Edginton
Villagers came together to support the project and a pond, hide and hedge have all been added to improve the site for fledgling birds.
This month, the ‘Friends of Staple Turtle Dove Summer Field’ have access to the hide to watch the first breed of young without disturbing the species.
Quote Message
The actions of our RSPB members have shown that with a little passion and commitment anyone can help the wildlife on their doorstep, even an incredibly threatened species, and it’s so encouraging that their efforts are already showing success.”
Nicole Khan, RSPB Turtle Dove Conservation Advisor
School exclusions in Medway among highest in Englandpublished at 07:57 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
The number of school exclusions in England is at its highest level since 2009, with Medway making the top 10.
Gormley sculpture for Margatepublished at 07:36 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter
A life-size Antony Gormley sculpture is to be installed on Margate beach.
The work will be a cast of Gormley's body and will be placed in front of the Turner Contemporary.
At high tide it'll be completely hidden underneath the water.
Gormley is well known for the Angel of the North in Tyne and Wear and Another Place near Liverpool.
Image caption,
Antony Gormley's The Angel of the North is located in Gateshead
The sculpture in Margate will be installed over the next three weeks.
'I just had total meltdown'published at 07:11 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter
A hospital has apologised over a series of cancelled operations which have left a woman bedridden.
Rat infestation leads to heavy finepublished at 06:44 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter
The Faversham brewery Shepherd Neame has been fined £160,000, after rats infested the kitchen of one of its hotels.
Environmental health officers from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council visited the Royal Wells Hotel several times, following complaints.
Image source, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Shepherd Neame closed the kitchens voluntarily.
The council's investigation found the hotel failed to act on advice given by its pest control agency.
Image source, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Shepherd Neame pleaded guilty to four charges of food hygiene offences, and was also ordered to pay £9,988 in costs.
Image source, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Image caption,
Rat droppings on a food container
The company says it's carried out a thorough review of its systems and the hotel now has a new management team.
Image source, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Image caption,
Grease on a warming cupboard
Quote Message
This disregard for even the most basic standards of hygiene and food safety put people's health at risk. Whilst I acknowledge their apology, I think it entirely reasonable that the owners should be held to account and fined."
Dr Ronen Basu, Cabinet member with responsibility for Sustainability, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Image source, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Image caption,
Edge of drain gully
Quote Message
This incident should not have happened and we have done everything within our power to ensure it will not happen again."
Spokesman, Shepherd Neame Ltd
Image source, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Image caption,
Drain at the Royal Wells Hotel
Time to get your brolly out againpublished at 06:33 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather
There's rain on the way later and it'll feel a bit cooler than recently.
Here's my latest forecast.
'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside'published at 06:02 British Summer Time 26 July 2017
What a great shot of Walmer Beach by Christopher Brown - it's our Kent #PhotoOfTheDay.
Image source, Christopher Brown
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