Podcast: Damian Aspinall on the future of Howletts, Port Lympne and a herd of elephants he wants to return to Africa

The owner of two wild animal parks has been speaking to the KentOnline Podcast about their future.

Damian Aspinall would like nothing better than for all zoos to close and animals live in their natural habitat.

To try and achieve that, he's hoping to re-wild a herd of elephants currently living at Howletts near Canterbury.

That plan has been criticised though with some saying the animals wouldn't survive.

Hear what Mr Aspinall has to say in response.

Also in today's podcast, it's feared queues of lorries at the Port of Dover will only get worse.

It's all to do with post-Brexit lorry checks that need to take place - hear from a hauler and local councillor.

There's reaction to Boris Johnson's announcement all Covid restrictions could be lifted this month - four weeks earlier than planned.

It's feared more people could be tempted to turn to loan sharks as the cost of living continues to rise.

We've been speaking to the chief exec of the Kent Savers Credit Union.

It's also the day we'll find out how much more we'll have to pay in council tax.

And, we have the latest on how one of Kent's athletes is getting on at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.