Fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, face-painters and musicians will be among those taking part in celebrations on Dover seafront to celebrate the launch of the Olympic handover from Beijing to London on August 24.

The massive free event kicks off at noon and will include local bands, a Punch and Judy show, street statues, craft stalls, refreshments, locally produced food, and a range of free activities and entertainment, culminating in a giant fireworks display from the Prince of Wales Pier at 9pm.

It is being organised by the district council in co-operation with the town council to mark the official launch of the four-year build up to the London Olympic Games in 2012.

At 3.30pm the chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Bernard Butcher, the Town Mayor of Dover, Cllr Diane Smallwood and Dover MP Gwyn Prosser will raise the Olympics 2012 flag on the seafront to show local support for the Games.

There will be a street athletics event at 1pm, with a 60m dash along Waterloo Crescent, and the winners will be given the opportunity to go on to national finals in Manchester.

The celebrations also tie in with a special free swimming event all day at Dover Leisure Centre and Tides in Deal, provided by Vista Leisure.

A spectacular event is also being planned to launch the Cultural Olympiad from September 26-28.