Welcome to your new local website, bringing you up to the minute news from Maidstone, Malling, Sittingbourne and the Weald of Kent in a bright and user-friendly format.

Our team of journalists from the UK's biggest local weekly newspaper are out and about seven days a week covering a huge range of local events from breaking stories to grassroots community news.

Now you can access their articles every day to keep up to date with what's happening in the heart of your community.

And we want you to be part of our online community. The site is fully interactive, inviting you to have your say on the burning issues of the day with our Speak Out and easy-to-use online polls.

As well as your views we want your news, so let us know what's happening so we can report it on kentmessenger.co.uk

Our regularly updated picture of the day feature is a showcase for our area and we are inviting you to submit your images which capture the true essence of our diverse region.

Each Friday the Kent Messenger will continue to bring you a comprehensive local news and sport service, with great property and motors sections plus jobs and TV listings. At just 60p it presents true value.

We hope you like the new site and visit us regularly. And don't forget to tell your friends.