Strike action by teachers is expected to cause child care chaos for parents across the district on Thursday.

They are walking out over proposed changes to their pension conditions which, they say, will mean working longer and paying more into their funds.

A total of 51 primary and secondary schools in the Canterbury district and Faversham will be closed as a result of the national 24 hour action by teachers and civil servants.

Among them is Herne Bay High School where up to 50 of the 90 staff are expected to strike. Head teacher Dr Claire Owen said: "My duty is to keep the school open but after assessing the health and safety risks, regrettably, this was just not able to happen."

But Canterbury High School is dealing with the industrial action in a different way - by taking 600 pupils to Chessington World of Adventures for the day.

The school will also remain open with another 50 children competing catch-up work and a further 100 auditioning for the school production of Oliver.

See Thursday's Kentish Gazette for the full story.