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The campaign to bring the Olympic torch through Dover in 2012 received a massive boost as thousands celebrated the launch of the Cultural Olympiad.

Friday's Light Up Dover event was hailed a huge success attracting crowds well over the 5,000 expected.

A fire show celebrating the town's history took place along the seafront and on the White Cliffs next to Dover Castle.

Speculation over whether the Olympic torch will come to the town was fuelled by Kent County Council chairman Peter Lake at the council’s reception at the Royal Cinque Port Yacht Club.

“I was taken to one side by a very senior member of the community at this event. I cannot tell you from where - but he did say plans are being discussed at a very high level in support of Dover.

“I can tell you the Chair of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Pam Alexander will be writing to us in the next few days suggesting there is huge support for Dover’s request to bring the torch through the town.

"If that is the case then, wow. What a challenge! This is our first step up the ladder and we must keep the momentum up."

Chris Hesp, chairman of the Kent 2012 Campaign at KCC, said he was delighted with how the event went.

“It has really said to agencies at a regional and a national level there is no better place than Dover to welcome the Olympic torch in 2012. It has shown that Kent and Dover can put on a tremendous show.”

Chairman of the district Council Bernard Butcher said: "I don't think there is a single living person in the whole world who has not heard of the town of Dover. Our history is immense and I do not see how we can be denied the honour of accepting the torch in 2012."

The Cultural Olympiad aims to promote the best of British culture to the rest of the world.

In Medway, fireworks were launched at exactly 8.12pm (20.12 on the 24-hour clock) to mark the finale of a free event held at Rochester Castle.

For more on Medway's celebrations go to medwaymessenger.co.uk >>>

Across the weekend, there were other events held across the county at Gravesend and Queenborough on Sheppey.