Her Majesty the Queen has sent her congratulations on the 150th birthday of the Kent Messenger, one of the KM Group's paid-for newspapers.

In a letter from her private secretary's office, she sends "warm, good wishes to all concerned during this most special anniversary year".

Editor Bob Bounds said: "I was delighted to receive the message from Her Majesty.

"We think the paper's 150th birthday is worth celebrating, so it is a wonderful compliment to have this royal greeting.

"The Queen has a special place in the hearts of KM readers and her many visits to the county have been well chronicled in our pages down the years."

Don't miss this Friday's Kent Messenger for more news of the 150th celebrations and a souvenir full-size version of the front page of the first issue on January 1, 1859.

For more news from the Maidstone area visit kentmessenger.co uk >>>