From everyone in the Mercury office, we would like to wish our readers and advertisers a very happy Christmas.

We hope today brings you all you have wished for, and that you spend the day with the people you love and care for most.

Today is as good a day as any to thank our regular readers for continuing to buy the Deal, Dover and Sandwich editions of the East Kent Mercury.

Your continued custom means a lot to us, especially in this, our 150th anniversary year. For those who have appeared in the Mercury, we are grateful to you for sharing your news with us.

Thank you also for logging on to Kentonline.co.uk and sharing our stories via social media.

Please take some time today to think of those who are less fortunate than you, and shed a thought to people you know who might be lonely or sad after the death of a loved one.

Deal, Dover and Sandwich are friendly and unique communities that are made all the better by the kind people who live in the district.

Remember this is the season of peace and goodwill. Try, where you can, to help make others's Christmas as good as yours.

Thank you and Happy Christmas.

From the news team: Graham Smith, Beth Robson, Emily Stott, Eleanor Perkins and Victoria Chessum.

Advertising team: Zoe Hall, Kathryn Hewitt, Claire Hall, Zoe Robertson, Terri Davies, Chrissie Moat, Sara Ross, and our receptionist Julie Cooper.