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?