AFTER captivating communities around the world, the Queen's high-tech baton arrives in London today for a four-day relay around the capital, the London boroughs, including Hounslow, Richmond, Twickenham and Kingston, and the home countries.

The relay will enable Londoners to glimpse the world famous baton on its history-making journey across the UK to the opening ceremony of the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester on July 25.

Celebrities Ian Botham, Barry Sheene, Tracey Edwards, Tessa Sanderson, Nick Duncombe, Phil Greening, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Sally Gunnell, Floella Benjamin and Angelica Bell will carry the baton as it journeys across the South East.

It will also be carried on several modes of transport including a double-decker bus, the London Eye, a black cab and a boat on the River Thames.

Today the baton leaves Leeds at 5.41 a.m. and travels on the M1 to London. It's schedule is: Harrow (10:25), Ealing (13:07), Hounslow (13:40), Richmond (14:13) (Twickenham Stadium - 14:18), (Boat on the Thames 14:45), Kingston (16:32), Merton (17:17) and Wimbledon (evening celebration).

July 17, 2002 15:30