The route the Queen's baton relay will take through Kent ahead of this summer's Commonwealth Games has been revealed.

It will visit Tonbridge, Dartford, Herne Bay, Folkestone and Maidstone on Thursday, June 5.

Kent athletes Dame Kelly Holmes, Lizzy Yarnold and Millie Knight will be among those carrying the baton when it arrives in the county.

It contains a secret message from the Queen that will be read out when the Glasgow games get under way in July.

Thousands of school children will be involved in the relay, that will see the baton carried by community heroes as well as the professional athletes.

The relay will begin in Tonbridge, where it will be welcomed by 1,000 youngsters at Tonbridge Castle at just before 8am.

It will leave Tonbridge Castle by 9.30am before arriving at Dartford athletics track at 10.30am.

The baton will depart at 11.30am for Herne Bay High School, where it is due to arrive at 1pm.

Its fourth stop will be the Pent Valley School, Folkestone, at about 2.45pm.

And the final stop will be County Hall, in Maidstone, where it is due to arrive at about 4pm.

Guests including sports minister and local MP Helen Grant will join the Lord Lieutenant of Kent for a ceremony.

The baton will be carried by Dame Kelly Holmes, who was born in Pembury; Millie Knight, a Canterbury schoolgirl who is Britain's youngest winter Paralympian; and skeleton racer Lizzy Yarnold, who grew up in West Kingsdown and attended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls.

It will also be held aloft by Lewis Church, Caroline Lorenzo, John Simmonds and Roland Gooding – selected because of their inspirational activities.

Dame Kelly said: "I'm delighted that the Queen's baton relay is coming to Kent in recognition of the inspirational work Kent young people are doing around sport and culture through Kent County Council's INSPIRE programme.

"The school children will do a fantastic job in cheering on your inspirational batonbearers and being part of the Team England send-off to Glasgow."

Mike Hill, Kent County Council cabinet member for community services, said: "It is a tremendous honour to welcome the Queen’s baton relay to Kent.

"3,300 children will be involved throughout the day, and the county council has worked hard with Kent schools to make the day extraordinarily special and inspirational for young people right across the county."

The Commonwealth Games takes place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3.