Queen's Baton Relay bearers unveiled for the North East

Brendan Foster will carry the Queen's Baton on its journey through Gateshead

Great North Run creator Brendan Foster and triple jumper Jonathan Edwards have been named as bearers for the Commonwealth Games' Queen's Baton Relay on its leg through the North East.

The pair will carrying the baton through Gateshead and Newcastle on 13 June ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Organisers said they were chosen for their contribution to sport in the local community.

The relay was launched by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last year.

The Queen's Baton will start its journey at the Angel of the North and will travel to Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and then to Newcastle Civic Centre, before ending the relay at Walker Activity Dome.

The relay has been the Commonwealth Games' curtain raiser since 1958.

The baton will visit 70 Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the opening ceremony in Glasgow on 23 July.

It will culminate in a 40-day tour of Scotland in the summer of 2014.