Thousands of free tickets are up for grabs to attractions all over Kent as part of the Kent Big Weekend.

The annual giveaway, organised by Visit Kent, is in its twelfth year, offers local people the chance to visit some of the county's top spots for free during the weekend of Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25.

A record breaking 128 attractions have donated almost 18,000 pairs of tickets to the weekend, and activities and experiences on offer include entrance to Leeds Castle, Hever Castle, Dreamland Margate, Dover Castle, Port Lympne Reserve, Howletts Wild Animal Park, Wingham Wildlife Park, the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Rochester Cathedral, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and Canterbury Cathedral.

There's also the chance to visit various vineyards, as well as National Trust properties.

Experiences on offer include close encounters for animal lovers, brewery tours and tastings, high speed boat trips, rounds of golf, river tours and shopping experiences.

Kent residents can bid for tickets to as many attractions as they like right up until Sunday, March 11. Two tickets per household will then be allocated via a random ballot to the lucky
winners - there are also some family tickets up for grabs.

Big Weekend is held during English Tourism Week, organised by VisitEngland to highlight the importance of tourism as one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy.

Visit Kent chief executive Sandra Matthews-Marsh said: "We want to support our industry and tourism businesses, and encourage residents to experience them and spread the word to friends and family about just how much Kent has to offer. You never know what you might win."

To apply for your tickets, visit kentbigweekend.co.uk

The event will support the Family Holiday Association, which helps provide days out for families normally unable to take holidays together, with tickets donated by attractions.