But it was music diva Madonna who proved to be the big-sell for many with her lace-up knee boots and raunchy dance routines. The Queen of Pop's then husband Guy Ritchie nearly missed his wife's set after being refused entry to the gate because no-one recognised him. Picture: BBC

Cabinet minister Ed Balls shared a strawberry ice shake with MPs Sir John Stanley and Jonathan Shaw on a rare visit to Kent. Mr Balls - secretary of state for children, schools and families - officially re-opened Aylesford School - Sports College, The Malling School and Holmesdale Technology College, Snodland, which had been almost completely rebuilt. Picture: Matthew Reading

Comedians Jo Brand, Mark Lamarr and Catherine Tate have all performed there, but towards the end of the month one of Maidstone's most famous comedy hotspots was put up for sale. The Walnut Tree pub, in Tonbridge Road, was on the market after owners Peter and Carol Henn decided to move on. The venue was once reviewed in the Independent as the worst comedy venue in England. Picture: John Wardley

It's not a town renowned for A-listers, but Maidstone took centre stage for just 48 hours during Radio 1's Big Weekend in early May which attracted thousands of fans. Some of the world's biggest performers came to the two-day music festival in Mote Park, which included performances from US R'n'B sensation Usher, the Editors, the Raconteurs, The Kooks and The Enemy.

The only clue to the small scale industry going on behind one man's closed garage doors is the faint whiff of the chip shop. Steve Evans, from Maidstone, spent six months building and perfecting a refining plant in his garage to enable him to run his car on cooking oil. Picture: John Wardley