For years now people along the north coast of Kent have learnt to deal with audible booms and explosions, sometimes out of the blue, coming from across sea.

But what exactly are these explosions and why can they be heard from miles away on the Isle of Sheppey?

Today (May 23) the Ministry of Defence has warned people there would be a number of planned explosions at Shoeburyness, which is just over the water in Essex.

Q: Where is Shoeburyness and what is it used by the MoD for?

A: Shoeburyness is a suburb of Southend in Essex, with a site in Pig's Bay being used by the government since 1848 when the British School of Gunnery was opened.

Since then, it has been used by the Ministry of Defence for military testing, evaluations and training.

Q:Who runs the explosions, ammunition testing and other events?

A: Defence company QinetiQ operates the range at Shoeburyness on behalf of the MOD under a contract called the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA).

The service is known as T3E, which stands for "test, trials, training and evaluation", which tries to ensure the safety and effectiveness of munitions and skills used by the UK Armed Services.

Q: Why is Shoeburyness used?

A: The site in Essex is used for a number of reasons, including its proximity to London and direct major shipping routes.

It also has geographical features which make it "the ideal location" for the testing and evaluation requirements, such as flat tidal sands which provide a large secure area needed for long range firing and the recovery of shells.

QinetiQ say the site provides a "unrivalled and unique" UK facility for testing and evaluation.

Q: What is done at the Shoeburyness range?

A: A number of tests and practices are carried out at the site.

Weapons systems for the armed services are safe and function as intended.

This can include multiple tests of weapons, including firing, shaking, rattling, rolling, dropping, heating and freezing equipment and munitions.

There is also the safe disposal of any stressed or life-expired ammunition.

During military training courses armed services are taught techniques on explosive ordnance disposal by recreating realistic scenarios involving live ammunition.

Many of the people who attend the training are then sent into active service.

Q: Why can I hear and feel the booms in Kent?

A: The stretch of water from Shoeburyness to Sheppey is just under six miles, resulting in some of the vibrations and audible explosions being heard on the Island.

QinetiQ says it is aware of this and does everything possible to minimise any disturbance of communities whilst continuing to meet the demands of the MOD to deliver critical support to UK Armed Services.

To address concerns, the company paid for a number of specialist studies to assess the vibration effects and their effect on buildings.

The most recent was conducted in 2015 and found certain weather conditions can play a significant role in how noticeable vibrations are for people.

QinetiQ frequently monitors noise from the range at six specialist stations located around the Thames Estuary, including Queenborough, Herne Bay and Margate.

Residents can find more up-to-date information on the range and activities by visiting their website www.qinetiq.com/en/shoeburyness or checking @SHB_Alerts on Twitter.

Anyone with concerns about the range's activity can call its careline on 0800 0560108.