Her Majesty the Queen has sent her congratulations on the Kent Messenger’s 150th birthday.

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 our 150th celebrations and for a souvenir full-size version of the front page of our first issue on January 1, 1859