Five years ago today, the Folkestone and Hythe Express launched as a new title for the KM Group.

It was a rare move in the newspaper industry, at a time when other papers across the country were folding.

The celebrate its birthday, we've pulled together some of its most eye-catching front pages to reflect on just how much has happened in the last five years.

Many of the biggest stories reflect conversations residents are still having in 2018, such as the future of the Leas Pavilion, the development of the Harbour Arm and Folkestone seafront and what exactly will become of the Banksy artwork, still in storage.

There have been two major Royal visits, with the Queen opening the The Wing at the Battle of Britain memorial in Capel-le-Ferne in 2015 and Prince Harry unveiling the Step Short memorial arch in 2014.

Our first ever first front page noted speculation that it could be Prince Charles at the ceremony, but it was revealed nearer the time that it would actually be the new Duke of Sussex.

Other memorable moments include the protests against and closure of the Pent Valley school, the new sports centre currently in the works, the 10th anniversary of the Folkestone earthquake and the problems caused by Operation Stack in 2015. There was even a hunt for gold in 2014 as part of the Folkestone Triennial.

In addition, 2018 has seen front pages about a spike in jellyfish numbers along the coast this year and the return of the Red Arrows.

Two of the most shocking stories for residents were the suspected arson attack on the seafront nightclub Onyx, affectionately known as The Priz in 2016 and the closure of Folkestone East surgery, the effects of which are still being felt by the community.

The Nepal earthquake in April 2015 also profoundly affected Folkestone's Gurkha community.

Our journalists past and present reflected on some of the biggest - and quirkiest - stories reported on during their time at the paper.

Molly Mileham-Chappell has worked at the KM Group for the last two years: "A lot has happened during a short space of time since I started on the Folkestone and Hythe patch in April.

"My stand-out moments would be reporting on the Princes Parade decision due to the strength of feeling from the protestors - as well as our readers - and the opening of the new Turner Free School. It's not every day a brand new secondary school opens.

"I've always found Folkestone to be a vibrant and fascinating place and it's clear that there are so many more stories left to uncover."

Sam Lennon, who now works for our sister title the East Kent Mercury, was with the Express between 2013 and 2016: "I wrote about many past music shows in Folkestone. Chas and Dave played at the Leas Cliff Hall in 1997 hours before Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. I interviewed Chas Hodges in March 2014 about his memories of that night. I also interviewed Yoko Ono in 2014 when she contributed a piece to the Folkestone Triennial.

"One of the most remarkable nights for me was when the former Onyx nighclub in Folkestone caught fire in March 2016.

"I saw it by chance when I was leaving a council meeting and saw a few hundred yards away the club engulfed in flames. I stopped my car to take pictures and interview eye witnesses. I rang our editor, relayed the material to him and we were able to get a story online that night."

Sean Axtell joined the company in 2017: "One story that stands out is receiving a tip off the council had accidentally spilled gallons of hydraulic oil into the Royal Military Canal.

"With the council leaving it a week before the clean-up operation, The Swan Sanctuary charity and residents rescued and rehabilitated the oil covered birds.

"Leaked documents showing Rocksalt paid a customer £3,000 who alleged food poisoning also springs to mind.

"They denied responsibility for the diner's illness but made the 'ex gratia', or payment of grace, anyway. At the centre of the row were pink chicken livers - they've since been scrapped from the menu."

Whether it's hard news, tributes or community tales to tell, we look forward to reporting on your stories for many years to come.

If you have a story for the Folkestone and Hythe Express, you can call the newsroom on 01233 623232 or email folkestoneexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk