acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

Three times as many people have applied for tickets to the Olympic torch relay celebration near Maidstone this summer as there are tickets.

The online ballot to get some of the 4,670 tickets to the Leeds castle event on Thursday, July 19, closes at 4.30pm tonight.

The event includes a 20-minute set by hip hop stars Rizzle Kicks, as well as the cauldron lighting and a host of other entertainment.

Maidstone council, which is organising the ballot, has pledged that 80% of the tickets will be given to people with Maidstone postcodes.

Cabinet member for community and leisure services, Cllr John A. Wilson (Con), said: "It will be a spectacular way to mark a historic event and we hope that as many people as possible will witness it either at Leeds Castle or in Mote Park, where it will be screened as part of another very special celebration."

If you don't have a computer to apply, you can log on at the Gateway in King Street or call 0844 847 1629. There is a £2.50 application fee, although the tickets themselves are free.