A Spitfire flypast will be among the host of events welcoming the Queen's Baton Relay to the county today.

The pre-Commonwealth Games tour is hopping across various Kent locations throughout the day and tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Tourist industry bosses say the occasion is a chance to show the Commonwealth all the "great things Kent has to offer".

Parties, ceremonies, skateboarding and a flypast are all part of the packed agenda to mark the spectacle, which is expected to draw in thousands of people.

The relay - which is being run by various inspirational Batonbeaers - will begin at 9:30am at Tonbridge Castle and head through the town streets.

It will then make its way to Canterbury for around 1.30pm, taking in Westgate Towers, the Cathedral and the Dane John Gardens.

It is then planned to arrive at 3.30pm in Folkestone at the new F51 multi-storey skatepark, before going to the Harbour Arm and then being taken by boat to Deal.

After leaving Deal at around 6pm, it will head to Dover, via Walmer Castle, where 2,500 people will enjoy a celebration party at the castle which is to be lit up in red, white and blue.

While in Dover, a Spitfire will fly over the port and town between 6.45pm and 7pm.

The relay then bids farewell to Kent on Friday following a trip to Gravesend.

It will then be taken to the Midlands after going through Essex and East Anglia.

When the London Olympic Torch Relay came through Kent in the summer of 2012, thousands of people crammed onto pavements and lined streets across the county to see the chosen torch-bearers carry the flame through the streets.

Organisers are hopeful that the Commonwealth Games relay will generate a similar level of excitement and interest from the public as it passes through.

Visit Kent chief executive Deirdre Wells says the relay is a great opportunity to showcase the county's best offerings.

"So many of the big events we had planned over the last two years got cancelled, so to have a chance to bring together schools, families, communities and visitors to celebrate together and enjoy the fantastic weather is really important," she said.

Video: Barry Goodwin

"It's a packed few days with lots of opportunities for people to wave it on.

"The really exciting thing is, we'll get national TV coverage. It's so important for Kent, particularly after the two years we've had with the pandemic and our industry effectively being shut.

"Even as we start to emerge from that, we're into a cost of living crisis. So to be able to host such an amazing event and provide opportunities for people to have a free and fun time to celebrate with their communities is huge.

"This is a great opportunity to remind people of the great things Kent has to offer, and to make sure people are putting Kent top of their wish list for places to visit."

Since its inaugural appearance at the Cardiff 1958 event, the relay has been a tradition of the Commonwealth Games.

This year, the baton is set to travel across the country for a total of 29 days, visiting more than 180 communities on a 2,500 mile route, before finishing at the Opening Ceremony in the Midlands on July 28.

Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will carry the baton, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.

Between 40 and 130 people will carry it each day.

Leader of Canterbury City Council, Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding, said: "We are delighted that Canterbury will be playing its part in this international celebration of sport and communities, and are already looking forward to what will be a very special day.

"Seeing the Queen's Baton being carried through the cobbled streets of our historic city will be a lovely sight, and we really want to make as much of the occasion as possible."

Cllr Des Keers, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's lead cabinet member for community, said: “It’s a great honour for Tonbridge to be chosen to host a stage of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

"I know many people will be excited by the prospect and wish to cheer on the inspirational Batonbearers as they undertake this leg of their momentous journey around the Commonwealth.

"We look forward to extending them a warm welcome to our town for what will be a very special addition to its proud history.”