The Olympic torch arrives
at Canterbury Cathedral

The Olympic torch has arrived at Leeds Castle - after a visit to
another key Kent attraction, Canterbury Cathedral.

A spectacular evening celebration was due to be a highlight at
the end of day three in Kent.

Crowds earlier lined the city centre to catch a glimpse of
the relay as it stopped at the cathedral after visiting Sturry
following a day largely spent in Thanet.

Many residents spent the entire day in the city centre and said
the atmosphere had continued to build.

Student Eleanor Perkins, 16, said: "We have been studying the
Olympics for a Geography GCSE for the past four weeks so it's nice
to actually see the torch."

The torch was passed from Sturry through the city centre briefly
stopping at the Cathedral.

Hundreds of residents packed into the grounds including the
Puerto Rican Olympic athletes who were invited as guests.

The torch left the city through Wincheap before heading towards
Faversham.

The flame was then met with rapturous applause as it passed
through Faversham.

Thousands lined the town's streets - sometimes up to four or
five deep. Crowds waved flags and blew whistles, as policemen did
'high fives' with youngsters.

Caroline Spence
approaches the exchange point by Malcolm Waite's Garage in Harnet
Street, Sandwich

Grace Vickery, of Whitstable Road, Faversham, bought her nine
week old

son Tyler to the momentous event.

She said: 'This is such a historical event, we had to be
here.

'It will be great for us to say to Tyler in years to come that
he was

here to see this.'

The rain managed to hold off until the flame left the market
town.

Earlier, artist Tracey Emin spoke of her pride at carrying
the Olympic torch through her hometown of Margate this
afternoon.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the seaside
town's most famous daughter hold the flame aloft on the steps
of the Turner Contemporary Gallery.

Emin, 49, waved to cheering spectators before handing over the
flame to Olympic swimmer Karen Pickering at just before
12.30pm.

A visibly proud Tracey Emin told KentOnline: "It was the most
surreal experience of my life and quite quite overwhelming.

"It's been exciting, brilliant, surreal, moving and
emotional. It was just brilliant - all the people cheering was
phenomenal."

"It’s been a brilliant day for Margate," she added, gesturing to
the hundreds of people jostling to get a better view. "Look at
everyone."

Tracey Emin arrives in
Margate with the Olympic torch (top) to the waiting crowds.
Pictures: Jamie Stephens

Proud mum Pam was overwhelmed at Tracey's moment in the world
spotlight:

"I had tears in my eyes it was very emotional," she said. "She
was very excited she was getting to carry the torch. She couldn’t
believe she’d get that opportunity. It’s a very exciting day for
all of us.

"It won’t happen again in our lifetime. It’s been a very special
day for everyone not just us."

Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Olympic veteran Steve
Backley carrying the flame through Ramsgate harbour. Video: Jess
Banham

Thanet MP Laura Sandys said: "The
whole day has been absolutely fantastic and the whole island has
done us proud.

"The crowds were consistent all the
way along - with three to four people deep in places - and a
great atmosphere. The Olympics has officially started now the torch
has been to Thanet. Who needs an opening ceremony after this?"

In Sturry, children
wrapped themselves in Union Flags as they awaited the flame this
afternoon.

Tennis star Elena Baltacha carried the
flame in St Peters at about 11.40am.

The former British number one will
represent Britain in the Games singles competition at
Wimbledon.

In this year's Wimbledon, Elena reached the second round
and is currently ranked 100th in the world rankings.

Tennis star Elena
Baltacha will be among today's torchbearers

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The relay began today at
Deal Pier, where volunteer lifeguard Katherine
Batts was the first torchbearer.

The pier and seafront was packed with
people as the town gave its first Olympic torchbearer cheers and
applause as she started her journey.

After last night's downpours for the
celebrations in Dover, the sun shone in Deal and the blues skies
provided the perfect backdrop to the historic day.

Yasmin Welsh and her family arrived on
Deal Pier just after 7am to secure a good seat and were not
disappointed with the event.

She said: "This is a once in a
lifetime experience and was well worth the early start."

Volunteer marshal and Deal Rotary Club
president Peter Rothschild, 87, on duty on the pier, said Deal had
looked its best for the Olympic relay.

Many schoolchildren from the Deal area
won tickets to be on the pier and enjoyed the experience of seeing
the torch lit and the first runner disappear into town.

Caroline Spence lights
David Hampson Ghani's torch before he set off in Sandwich. Picture:
Beth Robson

Katie Nearly, 13, from Castle
Community College, Deal, said the day had been an inspiration to
young people in the world of sport and Harry Toye, 11, from Sir
Roger Manwood’s School, Sandwich, added that it had been a great
day.

He said: "It has brought us all
together and lets hope Great Britain gets the most gold medals.
Rule Britannia!"

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Deal Mayor Cllr Marlene Burnham was
among the civic heads on the pier to watch the moment the torch
started its journey through the town and was impressed at the view
of the seafront packed with onlookers.

She said: "What a fantastic scene.
Sun, shingle, people and so many children. The highlight of the
morning has to be the weather. The sun has shone on Deal on this
auspicious occasion."

Judges at Canterbury Crown
Court caught the Olympic spirit – to ensure jurors
and staff had the opportunity to see the flame.

The jury in each of five trials were
told they would be sitting shorter hours – so they didn’t miss
the unique opportunity in witnessing the procession.

Cases are to be stopped at 12.30pm,
with just a 30 minute lunch break, and then concluded at 2.30 pm –
in time for members of the jury to make the 10 minute walk to see
the flame being paraded.

Rizzle Kicks will perform
at Leeds Castle

The evening celebration, which runs
from 5pm to 7.30pm, will welcome the torch to Leeds Castle with a
cauldron lighting ceremony - by Maidstone torchbearer Julia
Chilcott, pictured below - and other entertainment.

This includes hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks, who performed at the first overnight stop in Dover last night, and other musical acts.

There will also be a performance of The River Runs Through,
commissioned by Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council
and performed by local children and adults. It tells the story of
Maidstone through history.

For those without a ticket, a free community concert will
be held at Mote Park at the same time, beaming the events at the
castle to a large screen.

Maidstone torchbearers
Julia Chilcott and Melwyn Moore

The street-by-street route for
the Olympic torch for Day 3 in Kent

08:27 Deal Start Deal Pier

Deal Pier - Right Turn

Beach St - Left Turn

King St - Left Turn

High St

A258 - Left Turn

Sondes Rd - Right Turn

A258 Prince of Wales Terrace

A258 Prince of Wales Terrace - Veer Right

A258 Deal Castle Rd - Right Turn

Deal Guildford Rd

Park Ave

Park Ave - Left Turn

A258 London Rd

08:56 Sholden A258 London Rd

Sholden A258 London Rd to Sholden New Rd

CONVOY: Sholden - Sandwich

09:12 Sandwich Deal Rd from Dover Rd

Sandwich Deal Rd

New St

Cattle Market

Harnet Street

Harnet Street - Right Turn

Strand Street

Strand Street - Left Turn

High Street

Ramsgate Rd

09:30 Great Stonar Ramsgate Rd

Great Stonar Ramsgate Rd to sign 50 speed limit

CONVOY: Great Stonar - Cliffs End

09:47 Cliffs End A256 Sandwich Rd from Foads
Ln

Cliffs End A256 Sandwich Rd

Cliffs End A256 Sandwich Rd to Cliffs End Rd

CONVOY: Cliffs End - St Lawrence

09:57 St Lawrence A299 Canterbury Rd East from
Windermere Ave

St Lawrence A253

B2054 London Rd

10:13 Ramsgate B2054 London Rd

B2054 London Rd - To roundabout 3rd exit

B2054 Grange Rd

B2054 Grange Rd - veer left

B2054 St Augustine's Rd

10:19 Ramsgate B2054 Royal Parade

Royal Parade - To roundabout 2nd exit

B2054 Military Rd - Left Turn

Harbour St - Right Turn

King St

A255 Hereson Rd

A255 Ramsgate Rd

10:44 Broadstairs A255 Ramsgate Rd

A255 Queens Rd

A255 Queens Rd - Left Turn

A255 High St

A255 High St - Right Turn

B2053 St Peter's Park Rd

B2053 Albion Road

CREW BREAK

B2053 Albion Road

B2053 Albion Road - veer right

11:36 St Peters B2053 Church St - Left Turn

B2053 Westover Rd

B2053 Green Ln

B2053 Green Ln - Left Turn

B2052 Northdown Park Rd

11:55 Cliftonville B2051 Queen Elizabeth
Avenue

B2051 Queen Elizabeth Avenue - Left Turn

Northdown Rd

B2055 Northdown Rd

B2055 Trinity Square

B2055 Trinity Square - Veer Left

B2055 Hawley St

12:22 Margate B2055 Hawley St

B2055 Hawley Sq - Right Turn

Mill Lane - Right Turn

High St

High St - Right Turn

B2051 Marine Dr

B2051 Marine Dr - To roundabout 2nd exit

A254 Marine Terrace

A254 Marine Terrace - To roundabout 3rd exit

A28 Canterbury

13:02 Westgate-On-Sea A28 Canterbury

Westgate-on-Sea A28 Canterbury

A28 Canterbury Rd Westgate

A28 Canterbury Rd Westgate

CREW BREAK

Westgate-On-Sea A28 Canterbury Rd Westgate

14:36 Birchington-On-Sea A28 Canterbury Rd
Birchington

A28 Canterbury Rd Birchington to Quex View Rd

CONVOY: Birchington-On-Sea - Upstreet

15:03 Upstreet A28 Island Rd from Grove Ferry
Hill

Upstreet A28 Island Rd to NSL sign

CONVOY: Upstreet - Sturry

15:16 Sturry A28 Island Rd from Oaklands Way

A28 Island Rd

A28 Island Rd - Veer Left

Sturry A28 Sturry Hill

Sturry A28 Mill Rd

Sturry A28 Mill Rd to Pole # SQA003

CONVOY: Sturry - Canterbury

15:34 Canterbury A28 Sturry Rd from Vauxhall
Rd

A28 Sturry Rd

Northgate

Borough - Veer Left

Palace St - Veer Left

Sun St - Left Turn

Cathderal Precincts

Mercery Ln

St Margarets St

Castle St

Castle St - To roundabout 2nd exit

A28 Wincheap

16:36 A28 Wincheap to Ada Rd

CONVOY: A28/A2 junction - Faversham

16:52 Faversham B2040 Love Ln from B2040 Love
Ln

B2040 Love Ln

B2040 Love Ln - To roundabout 1st exit

B2040 Whistable Rd

B2020 Whistable Rd - Left Turn

Jubilee Way

CREW BREAK

Jublilee Way

B2040 Whistable Rd

B2040 East St

East St - Left Turn

Preston St

Preston St - Right Turn

B2041 Forbes Rd

B2041 Forbes Rd - veer right

B2041 The Mall

B2041 The Mall - Left Turn

A2 Canterbury Rd - Right Turn

A251 Ashford Rd to entrance to Kent Fire and Rescue Service

CONVOY: Faversham - Challock

17:51 Challock A251 Faversham Rd from sign for
Challock village

Challock A251 Faversham Rd

Challock A251 Faversham Rd - To roundabout 3rd exit

Challock A252 Canterbury Rd

Challock A252 Canterbury Rd to High Snoad Wood

CONVOY: Challock - Harrietsham

18:19 Harrietsham A20 Ashford Rd from
Downlands

Harrietsham A20 Ashford Rd

Harrietsham A20 Ashford Rd to Lenmead

CONVOY: Harrietsham - Maidstone

18:33 Maidstone Leeds Castle entrance lane from
Leeds Castle entrance lane

Leeds Castle entrance lane - Right Turn

The Causeway Castle Approach Lane - Right Turn

Leeds Castle Gantry

Leeds Castle forecourt

Leeds Castle steps

Castle Gantry - Right Turn

Main Drive

Maidstone Evening Celebration

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Don't forget to follow our coverage for the rest of this
week.

Our reporting team includes video, audio and text reporters,
plus photographers taking pictures along the route.

To follow all the action - as it happens - see our interactive
map, videos and pictures.