In pictures: Queen's Baton Relay in Kent
- Published
The Queen's Baton Relay is in Kent as it makes its way around England ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Two of the baton-bearers have three Olympic golds between them - 2004 double gold medallist runner Kelly Holmes (right) and Lizzy Yarnold (left), who won gold in the skeleton at this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi. They both come from Kent and got hold of the baton at Tonbridge Castle.
Unlike the Olympics, British sports stars at the Commonwealth Games compete for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These flag-waving children watching the baton relay at Tonbridge Castle appear to be England fans.
She may be best known for her Olympic success but Kelly Holmes also won two 1500m golds for England in the Commonwealth Games - at the 1994 Games in Victoria and in Manchester in 2002. She said: "The sun has come out and great crowds. It's great to see the enthusiasm for the Queen's Baton Relay."
Lizzy Yarnold comes from Maidstone - the baton will be heading to her home town later in the day after visiting Dartford, Herne Bay and Folkestone. She told the BBC: "I'm inside the gym eight months of the year and only have a short window to do my sport so this is about going out and about and making friends."
Lizzy Yarnold is the best in the world at her event but fellow baton-bearer Lewis Church hopes he is on his way to sporting glory. The 17-year-old Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar School pupil is a decathlete and 400m hurdler who trains at Tonbridge Athletics Club, where Kelly Holmes was also nurtured.
Millie Knight, who is studying for her GCSEs at Kings School in Canterbury, is another Kent sporting heroine chosen to carry the baton in her home county. The visually impaired skier carried the flag for the ParalympicsGB team in Sochi earlier this year.
Roland Gooding, the head teacher of Valence School in Sevenoaks, was nominated to carry the baton for his "outstanding leadership and contribution in promoting physical education, sport and physical activity for young disabled students".
The baton relay moved from Tonbridge to Dartford, where more children got the chance to be close to the action.
John Simmonds was chosen to carry the baton in recognition of his years of involvement in Kent bowls scene. He told the BBC: "I've found it very exciting and very inspiring, all these young kids, so enthusiastic."
Caroline Lorenzo from Dartford was chosen as a baton-bearer because of her record as a volunteer at sports events - both in Kent and further afield. She assists with events such as the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon but was also a London 2012 Games Maker.
Children at Pent Valley Sports Academy in Folkestone were given the chance to get their hands on the baton.
The final stop-off point for the baton in Kent was Maidstone where more crowds gathered to see the action - and take photos.
Dame Kelly Holmes said: "It's great to see the enthusiasm for the Queen's Baton Relay. The children can use this in school - learning about countries and nations and learning about the sports. They are the ones we can continue to inspire."
The baton has visited Tonbridge, Dartford, Herne Bay, Folkestone and Maidstone giving children from around Kent the chance to take part in events.