A series of special festivities is in the offing this weekend as Merton launches dual celebrations to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the arrival of the Commonwealth baton.

The three days of fun and excitement kicks off with a cricket match tomorrow (Friday), part of a Jubilee Cricket Challenge, between the world's two oldest cricket clubs Mitcham and Hambledon from Hampshire, which starts at 1pm on Mitcham Cricket Green.

The baton, which is touring the country prior to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester on July 25, enters the borough at 4.45pm and will be seen with celebrities including England cricket legend Ian "Beefy" Botham, nightclub entrepreneur Peter Stringfellow and Blue Peter presenter Sophie Cassey, and will be carried into Morden Park by Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell at 6.50pm.

Ian Botham is available to sign autographs and chat with fans from 6.20pm at Mitcham Cricket Green.

The baton tour, which is only visiting three London boroughs, passes through Church Road and The Broadway in Wimbledon along Merton High Street to Western Road, London Road and Morden Road, Mitcham, before heading up to Morden Park.

Entertainment in the park starts at 5.30pm and is supplied by a BBC stage show featuring stars of light entertainment. There is fun for children courtesy of Wimbledon's Polka Theatre which is presenting scenes from its latest production in the park.

The three-day celebration rounds off on Sunday with the opening day of Cannizaro Outdoor Theatre Festival and Abba tribute Mama Mia, Bee Gees tribute and scenes from the Grease stage show (020 8540 0362). There is a 25 per cent discount on tickets for any performance in the Cannizaro theatre season by presenting vouchers available at tomorrow's Morden Park event.

For more information call 020 8545 3654/3434 or visit www.merton.gov.uk/jubilee/

July 10, 2002 10:30