Thousands of flag-waving people thronged through Rochester around the Vines Gardens, Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral as the Olympic torch passed through.

Carrying the flame past the iconic landmarks were Jessica Cheesman, who was overcome with emotion when she saw her severely disabled son Stephen came out as a surprise to watch her, and multi-marathon runner Sarah-Anne Mooney from Halling.

The cathedral bells rang, planes and a helicopter buzzed overhead, the crowds cheered and whooped and entertainers on stilts built up to the big moment.

Loud shouts erupted from Howard School pupils in Corporation Street as one of their classmates - Year 7 pupil Nathan Mitchell - took the torch over Rochester Bridge.

Residents sat with cups of tea outside their houses and pubs and cafes put on special breakfast stalls for the early start.

Sharon Edwards, 59, of St Williams Way, Rochester, said: "I arrived at 5.40am. I went to the royal wedding and the jubilee and camped out but this is especially important because the torch bearers have achieved so much."

The Olympic torch was welcomed in Medway this morning with a flurry of flag waving, firing cannons, kite flying and street entertainment.

The relay started in Canterbury Street, Gillingham at 7.50am.

Torch bearers included Debbie Puxty – a fundraiser who has battled cancer. She was running within just a few feet of her home.

Marathon runner Carl Fitter, who lives in Cliffe, was cheered on by staff and pupils at Wouldham All Saints Primary School where he is head teacher, as he ran down Canterbury Street.

The torch makes its way through Gillingham, before going past Brompton Barracks at around 8.10am, where soldiers from the Royal School of Military Engineering stand to arms as it passes.

At the torch’s next stop - Dock Road-a gun fire at Fort Amherst marks its arrival in Chatham at around 8.20am.

It then makes its way through the bus station towards Rochester.

The route through Rochester, from around 8.40am, includes The Vines Park and Boley Hill, passing the Castle and the Cathedral.

Howard School pupil Nathan Mitchell, who was nominated for excelling in sports, carries the torch along Corporation Street.

While, Help for Heroes fundraiser Jessica Cheesman, dyed her hair in the charity's colours, blue and white, to carry the torch through Rochester.

The torch then makes its way across Rochester bridge where Medway’s river folk do their own special welcome.

The relay then goes through Strood as it leaves Medway and heads towards Higham.

Send your pictures to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk