The general election campaign kicked off this week - and Gordon Brown launched his bid to retain power on our doorstep. Just minutes after leaving Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, the Prime Minister boarded a train for a visit to Aylesford and Chatham. Our election coverage reveals the candidates fighting for your votes on May 6, while political editor Paul Francis gives his poll predictions.

Also this week:

• Tributes to popular 17-year-old Charlotte Porter, whowas killed suddenly by a blood clot
• The "coward" jailed for causing a carcrash, ruining the career of a sportsman, and then fleeing the scene - despite already being banned from driving
• Why Soho thinks it has something to learn from Maidstone's nightlife
• Meet our London Marathon runners
• And see a picture of Hunter - thenew-bornguide dog puppy you helped us pay for in the KM's Puppy Love Appeal.

Don't miss this week's Kent Messenger - out now. And tell us what you think of it below.