Kent is to have its moment of Olympic glory as the iconic torch passes through its towns before the games.

In fact, the flame will spend longer in the county than any other in the UK.

It will pass through 37 towns and villages in Kent, arriving on July 17 and leaving around four days later.

People will be able to line the route to cheer as it makes its way to London in time for the opening ceremony just over a week later.

The route has not yet been revealed, but the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors and further details will be given closer to the date.

There will also be two evening celebration stops in Dover (July 18) and Maidstone (July 19) as well as lunchtime stops at two Kent locations, eight photo stops and two breakfast stops.

Further details on these locations will be announced later.

Sebastian Coe, pictured below, chairman of LOCOG, said: "We are thrilled to confirm that Medway will all act as a host location for the Olympic flame, extending an invitation to local people to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.

"This is the UK's moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Medway to start planning how they can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Medway Council leader Cllr Rodney Chambers said: "It is great news. Without a doubt, the relay will be a fun and inspiring moment for Medway as people will be able to come along and support torchbearers and help showcase our area to those watching on television."

The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land's End on the morning of May 19, 2012.

On leaving Land's End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals the chance to see it.

On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is planned that the flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium for the start of the Games on Friday, July 27.

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community.

Successful nominees will be contacted in December with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012.

Today also sees LOCOG launch its Local Leaders initiative, an invitation to people to take the 2012 Games into their community and create their own celebrations for the torch relay and other key moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, Chief Executive at Visit Kent, said: "We are delighted that so many of the county's iconic attractions will be showcased in the long route being taken by the Torch through Kent and Medway in addition to the key events at Dover and Leeds Castle, near Maidstone.

"2012 is a marvellous opportunity for Kent and the Torch procession will be a truly memorable occasion not only for local residents but for all the visitors from across the South East and across the Channel who are planning to join us for our celebrations."

Sign up at www.london2012.com/localleaders.

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The Olympic torch route for Kent in list form

Tuesday July 17

Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday July 18

Hamstreet
Ashford
Hythe
Sandgate
Folkestone
Dover (Evening celebration)

Thursday July 19

Deal
Sholden
Sandwich
Great Stonar
Cliffsend
St Lawrence
Ramsgate
Broadstairs
St Peters
Cliftonville
Margate
Westgate-on-Sea
Birchington
Upstreet
Sturry
Canterbury
Thanington
Faversham
Challock
Harrietsham
Maidstone (Evening celebration)

Friday July 20

Maidstone
Chatham
Gillingham
Rochester
Higham
Gravesend
Borough Green
Seal
Sevenoaks
Riverhead
Godstone
Bletchingley
Redhill
Reigate
Dorking