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

Our stories include the coffin in a funeral directors' window that has divided a neighbourhood, how Medway's primary schools are lagging behind in the league tables again and why midwives are bracing themselves for a massive rise in new arrivals.

Find out why everything didn't quite go to plan for a gang of would-be robbers - including a Medway police officer - whose bungling raid was described in court as an Ealing comedy.

Meet the Hempstead lad who's turned his back on gangs to produce a hard-hitting documentary on knife crime.

And read about how Chicago actress and EastEnders star Emma Barton is swapping the West End stage for Chatham this panto season.

There's a full page of your letters and in The Codgers' Club, David Jones imagines what the Queen thinks of Medway council's city status bid.

What's On brings you the chance to win a Mediterranean cruise and A-Team film merchandise.

There is also a free jar of Martha Hill's day cream for readers and a free meal on a West End day out.

Sport tells how Gills' manager Andy Hessenthaler is confident of a fast start to the season and has Mark Bentley's exclusive new column.

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