Hundreds of tickets for Medway attractions are up for grabs as part of My Kent Big Weekend.

Several places in the Towns have signed up for the annual event run by Visit Kent.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, families can use thousands of free tickets to the county’s attractions, hidden treasures and visitor destinations.

More than 100 venues have signed up for 2013.

In total, 17,000 free tickets will be up for grabs in an online ballot, which goes live on Monday, January 28.

The website will stay open for applications until midnight on Monday, February 18.

Two free tickets can be applied for per Kent household.

England’s two oldest cathedrals, theme parks, golf links, bush craft and art courses are among the many destinations opening their doors, as well as castles, vineyards, wildlife parks and riverboat tours.

New experiences added to the list this year include the East Kent Railway, Terlingham Vineyard, Gravesend’s Old Town Hall and the Joss Bay Surf School.

Here in Medway there are 500 tickets available to visit The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, where visitors will be able to see where the hit musical Les Miserables was filmed.

You can find out more about military history at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham or enjoy a family day out at Diggerland in Strood (right).

There are 50 tickets up for grabs to enjoy a guided visit tour of Rochester Cathedral and 500 available to explore Rochester Castle.

There are also 200 tickets available for Dickens World (pictured below) in Chatham, always a My Kent Big Weekend favourite.

The event, now in its seventh year, has inspired other counties to run similar weekends.

Chief executive of Visit Kent, Sandra Matthews-Marsh, said: "It is all about celebrating the variety of attractions and hidden gems which make our county such a popular destination for day visits and short breaks.

"These attractions and the sporting and creative activities available, entertain our visitors but they also add to our quality of life as Kent residents.

"My Kent Big Weekend gives us all an opportunity to get out and about and discover new days out and entertainment on our doorstep – then we are able to recommend those experiences to our friends and families."

Apply for tickets atwww.mykentbigweekend.co.uk