Want to explore the county for free?

Today is the day the ballot opens for the annual Kent Big Weekend - when thousands of pairs of free tickets go up for grabs.

The annual event gives people living in Kent the chance to try attractions for free on one very special weekend a year, which this year is Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

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Organised by Visit Kent, there are more than 22,000 pairs of free tickets on offer.

More than 100 attractions have signed up including animal attractions from Wingham Wildlife Park, Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park to Kent Life and Wildwood Trust and outdoor family fun such as Betteshanger Country Park, National Trust properties and Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

There will also be castles and historic sites including Tonbridge Castle, Leeds Castle, Hever Castle and Dover Castle and both Rochester and Canterbury cathedrals.

Dreamland, Ashford Designer Outlet and Hush Heath Estate & Winery join boat rides and river tours, rounds of golf and greyhound racing.

Apply for your tickets between Thursday, February 9 and Friday, March 3, by visiting kentbigweekend.co.uk.

Two tickets per household will be allocated at random by ballot (with some family tickets are available). You can apply for as many attractions as you like.