Queen’s Baton Relay in Dorset on way to Commonwealth Games

Monday's relay finishes at Bournemouth Pier

The Queen's Baton Relay has arrived in Dorset as part of its journey around England, ahead of this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Baton-bearers are taking it through Portland, Weymouth, Poole and Bournemouth.

The tour began in London in October and is visiting 180 places during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.

The baton ends its 294-day journey in Birmingham on 28 July, the day of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

It began its journey at the Eden Project in Cornwall earlier, before heading for Dorset via Plymouth and Exeter.

The baton contains the Queen's message to the Commonwealth

Adam Sevenoaks and Michael Steel were among the baton bearers on Portland

It arrived at Portland Marina and the National Sailing Academy shortly after 15:00 BST.

One of the Portland bearers Michael Steel, who runs education provider Kiwi Education, described the "incredible moment" when he handed the baton on to Olympic sailor Hannah Mills.

"It was an incredible experience to be here and be nominated. I couldn't be more thrilled to be part of it," he said.

The baton finished its journey courtesy of Tiffany Watson, nominated by her husband, who delivered it via the Bournemouth Pier Zip Wire to the beach.

"I really enjoyed it, it was such fun, though the zip wire could've gone a bit faster," she said.

The day ended with a community event at Bournemouth Pier.

Tiffany Watson delivered the baton onto the sands of Bournemouth Beach

PE teacher Martin Cook was chosen to run a leg on Bournemouth seafront, in recognition of his work with young people with disabilities at the Victoria Education School in Poole.

"I'm really excited to be part of this magical world event," he said.

"I've got the responsibility of carry this amazing thing for 200 metres - it'll be amazing."

The Queen's Baton Relay has been a Commonwealth Games tradition since it first appeared at the 1958 games in Cardiff, when it was then known as the Empire Games.

The latest relay began on 7 October 2021, with The Queen placing her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton before it began its 294-day long journey, taking in all of its 72 nations and territories.

Thousands of people have been invited to take it in turns to carry the baton, with between 40 and 130 each day.

On Tuesday, the baton will continue its journey across the country until it reaches Birmingham and the opening ceremony of the games on 28 July.