Drop whatever it is you're doing - it's time to go outside and catch Pokémon.

The childhood dreams of millions across Australia, New Zealand and the United States came true last week with the release of smartphone game Pokémon Go, and now - after a last minute delay - it's finally available in the UK.

It tasks players with catching the critters in the real world by pairing up data from Google Maps with augmented reality technology.

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Various landmarks are used as so-called PokéStops and Pokémon Gyms, which encourage people to meet up to trade items and battle one another.

Should its incredible popularity extend to Kent, the likes of Bluewater and Canterbury Cathedral will soon be inundated with those looking to collect their very own Pikachu.

Although it's not just well known locations that are set to be gripped by Pokemon fever, as churches, parks and local shops also set to become Pokémon hot spots.

Fans are even planning a get-together at Brenchley Gardens in Maidstone at midnight on Friday, heading into Saturday, for a mass Pokémon catching session. Whatman Park, also in Maidstone, is said to house plenty of PokéStops and a couple of Pokémon Gyms.

Popular theme park Diggerland in Strood has seen an influx of budding Pokémon trainers after receiving the honour of being designated as a Pokémon Gym.

Park manager Dave Smith commented: "It's been really strange to see the children and their parents in the park more interested in their phones and collecting Pokémon than riding, driving and operating the actual diggers!"

Video: Shoppers in Sheerness on the Pokémon Go phenomenon

Mr Smith continued: "We've even had people on their lunch break turning up in the Diggerland car park to battle, just because Diggerland is a hot spot for battling with other Pokémon trainers.

"I'd never even heard of this Pokemon Go game until today, now I know everything there is to know about it. I'm even tempted to download it now to see what all the fuss is about."

Despite it already becoming a smash hit, there have been concerns for the safety of children playing the game. There have been various scare stories of trespassing, robberies and suggestions that paedophiles could take advantage.

The NSPCC encouraged the developers to implement some form of safety features before the app was released in the UK.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Given its massive popularity with children it’s worrying that this game appears susceptible to being hijacked by those who may wish to harm them.

“When creating these games companies must consider the potential risks to young users and do everything they can to make sure their app doesn’t put them in danger.”

Others have commended the game for encouraging people to get on their feet.

The game requires you to explore your area if you want to succeed and also offers rewards based on how far you travel. It offers distance tracking in the same vein as popular fitness apps.

Staff here at the KM are certainly enjoying themselves. Among the finds so far have been a Squirtle in our Gravesend office, and a Drowzee at a PokéStop conveniently located right next door to our team in Sheerness. Kmfm reporters in Medway have caught a Pidgey.

Pokémon Go is available now on the App Store and on Google Play.

Have you kicked off your quest to catch 'em all? Got some tips on where to find them in Kent? Send us pictures of where you find Pokémon across the county on our Facebook or Twitter page.