The latest edition of the Medway Messenger is in the shops now with all the latest news, pictures and sport.

Our stories include the taxi driver who was brutally attacked and racially abused by a thug. Mohammad Hossain tells how it took him more than eight months to get back into his cab after the ordeal.

The Gills have gone silent after their embarrassing FA Cup defeat against Dover. The club has imposed a media blackout until their home game against Crewe tomorrow.

HMS Chatham, Medway's adopted warship, sailed home this week - but it's likely to be for the last time. She is moored at Chatham docks until Monday and there is an open day tomorrow. HMS Chatham was the last Royal Navy ship commissioned in Medway, but is expected to be withdrawn from the fleet as early as January.

We can reveal Medway's league of parking fine shame for the first time. Figures uncovered by the Messenger show exactly where motorists are being hit hard in the pocket for parking offences. Pick up a copy of the paper to find out where the blackspots are.

There are two pages of your letters and in The Codgers' Club, Peter Cook focuses on the Channel 4 programme Coppers, which features Medway police officers.

The courage of teenager Alec Martin was recognised at a county awards ceremony. While battling cancer, the 13-year-old from Allhallows started fundraising for a hospital ward.

In What's On, we catch up with pop star and former Kent student Ellie Goulding, who is making an emotional return to the county at her next gig.

There's also the chance to win tickets to see powerful X Factor vocalist Treyc Cohen and the opportunity to become a VIP for the day with the superb prize of a falconry day for two people.

All this and lots more in the Medway Messenger - pop out and pick up a copy today.