FREE sports, live music and a parade will celebrate the start of the countdown to London 2012 here in Maidstone.

A blind former soldier and skiing record holder will open Maidstone Handover Day, a sporting extravaganza to celebrate the handover of the torch at the Beijing Olympics.

The event on Sunday in Whatman Park, Maidstone, coincides with dozens of events taking place across the UK to mark the start of the official countdown to the London 2012 games.

Kevin 'Cannonball’ Alderton will open the event with the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Denise Joy.

The paralympian was blinded in a street attack a decade ago, yet he went on to gain the world record downhill speed for blind skiing, going at more than 100mph whilst being guided via a radio in his helmet.

The handover day is a festival of sport, culture and art and will kick off with the raising of an Olympic flag at noon.

Organised by Maidstone council’s sports, play and youth development team, there will be entertainment for all ages as well as a talk by Mr Alderton.

There will also be free sports taster sessions, live bands, street art, sports demonstrations, a parade and samba band, shows by the County Town-based Pegasus Gymnastics Club, Kixx Martial Arts and Maidstone United.

Free parking will be supplied by Maidstone Power Hub in St Peter’s Street.

Mr Alderton said: “Participation in sport is a fantastic way of bringing all sections of the community together. No matter what our cultural differences, social status or disability, sport gives us the opportunity to break down those barriers. I’m delighted to be involved with this event and who knows, we may find a future gold medallist or world record holder among the crowd.”

Cabinet member for leisure and culture, Cllr Brian Moss, added: “Maidstone is showing its support by encouraging the community to come down and try various different sports. This is a positive event for the borough and has activities for all the family to try.”

The Kent Event Team is recruiting volunteers to help at the event on August 24.

Volunteers are needed to help with parking, stewarding, stage monitoring among other activities and should be available between 10.30am-6.30pm.

Contact Teresa Pritchard on 01622 674257 or email kenteventteam@live.com