In pictures: Queen's Baton Relay England highlights

Children wave England flags in Kent

The baton, which is the main curtain raiser for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, was welcomed by thousands of people from Jersey, Guernsey, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Plymouth, Bristol, Southampton, Kent, Oxford, London, Suffolk, Leicester, Hull, Leeds and finally in Tyneside and Northumberland

A man carried the baton past the Bullring in Birmingham

Across the country the baton was carried past some of England's most recognisable landmarks

Children grasp the baton in Birmingham

The relay attracted crowds of people with children keen to grasp the baton, which had previously been to 70 Commonwealth nations and territories

The Planetarium in Millennium square, Bristol

Arriving in Bristol by boat, the sun came out and children gathered in Millennium square to try out sports of their choice

Dame Kelly and Lizzy Yarnold hold the baton in Tonbridge, Kent

Over 14 days in England the baton was carried by a number of sporting stars, including Dame Kelly Holmes and Lizzy Yarnold

A boy kisses the baton in Oxford

The baton, which is the Commonwealth Games version of the Olympic torch, carries a sealed, secret message written by the Queen

Children in Oxford hold commonwealth flags

During the Glasgow games there will be 6,500 athletes from 71 nations competing in 17 sports over 11 days

Baton-bearer Brian Dickens holds the Queen's Baton on board the Gloriana as it makes its way down the River Thames on 7 June 2014

The Baton took a trip along the River Thames in the Royal barge Gloriana

Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo carries the Queen's Baton along the Lowestoft Seafront on 8 June 2014 in Suffolk

The baton has been to coast...

Sir Matthew Pinsent abseiling down the ArcelorMittal Orbit with the Queen's Baton at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

...the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park...

Pat Revell with the Queen's Baton in front of the main tank at The Deep Aquarium on 11 June 2014 in Hull

...and to the main tanks at The Deep Aquarium in Hull

Children wait for baton-bearer Nile Wilson (not pictured) to arrive with the Queen's Baton at the John Charles Centre for Sport on 12 June 2014 in Leeds

It is hoped by games organisers the Baton Relay will have inspired interest and enthusiasm across the country for the games

Baton-bearer Brendan Foster holding the Queen's Baton at the Angel of the North, Newcastle

After completing its tour of England the Baton will head into Scotland before it arrives in Glasgow for the official opening of the Games on 23 July