Can exam stress be good for you?

It's that time of year again, when thousands of students prepare to take their end of term University exams.The assumption is that students coast through their University degrees, party and then recover rather than go to lectures and just do the bare minimum of work and just make the deadline in time. Although at times this is true, there's no getting away from the impending doom of exams.

The pressure felt by students to perform well in these exams is immense. They've spent thousands of pounds to be where they are, and now they have to prove that it was all worth it. There was even a report of attempted suicide at the beginning of March, with a student threatening to jump off St.Augustine's House library in Canterbury. See the story by clicking HERE 

Do you want the voting system to change?

On the 5th May 2011, the nation will vote in a referendum that could change the face of British politics forever. The question is first past the post, or the alternative vote?

The first past the post voting system has been used by this country for decades. We seemed to be happy with it, until the latest general election resulted in a coalition government between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats.

Have you heard of doggy parvovirus?

Pets are an important part of British people's lives, as well as the rest of the world. They become family members and it's a traumatic time when its time for them to pass away. But can you imagine losing 3 of yours dogs in the space of 24 hours? That's exactly what happened to Maria Lee in Folkestone. 

Talking exclusively to Near and Far, she tells her awful story, and gives a stark warning to pet owners all over the country. 

Killjoys? Or a real health hazard?

Teenagers in Herne Bay have spoken of their frustration this week after health and safety is clamping down on their pier diving. 

Herne Bay pier

Called tomb stoning, it becomes hugely popular in the summer when the sun is out and the tide is high. But this recreational fun is causing outrage among residents and county council members. 

Talking to This Is Kent, Janet Markey is a pensioner from the area, she said: "I don't think it should be allowed. Someone is going to break their neck."   

To what lengths would you go to save your child from a potentially fatal addiction?

Sentencing guidelines have been called into question after a woman from Dover was ordered to serve a 12 month jail sentence after physically restraining her daughter from leaving the house.

This may sound justified when put in these simple terms, however, there is a much darker element to this story. The daughter had become dangerously addicted to heroin and the reason she wanted to leave the house was to get her next fix. This begs the question, what is acceptable when it comes to the parent-child relationship?

Are YOU having a street party?

With Prince William and Kate Middleton set to make their vows in front of the entire nation on Friday 29 April and an estimated 2 billion people watching on TV, it seems everyone is getting in the spirit.

Councils have received over 5,000 applications to hold a street party in their neighbourhood. That's a lot of roads that need closing by the authorities, but it's nice to see no one seems to be complaining or slapping health and safety rules on proceedings.

Folkestone's found a new sound!

A brand new community radio station has launched in Folkestone, giving the area a totally new sound. It's called 105.9 Academy FM Folkestone and is based at the Folkestone Academy.

The team is made up of a unique mix of industry experts, journalists, students and volunteers which makes  it an exciting prospect for people in Kent. The station is always on the hunt for volunteers and enthusiastic people to get involved, presenting news, mixing sound, or even presenting your own show. A number of Canterbury Christ Church students are showing their support by making up the news team. Presenting bulletins in the early morning and the afternoon for drive time, they provide the latest local news for listeners.

X Factor fever hits London!

Thousands of people poured into the capital yesterday, all hoping to be the UK's next singing sensation.



Excited hopefulls queing outside the 02

 It was the open auditions for this year's X Factor and the venue was the impressive 02 Arena. Some contestants qued for up to 12 hours for their chance to shine, most of which was outside in the cold.

This year marked a change to the filming process. In previous years most of the crowd shots were done inside the 02. However contestants along with their friends and family were made to wait outside for film crews to get all they needed.

Not even giant inflatable balls, dance music, chants and making the shape of 'X's made people forget how cold it was. Applicants were told to start queing by 8am and were finally let in at around 1.30pm.