A 50-day baton relay race to mark the Queen's Jubilee will take in parts of East Lancashire as it travels around the UK.

The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay -- the Commonwealth Games equivalent of the Olympic Torch Race -- is set to pass through Blackburn and Chorley on July 22, just three days before it arrives in Manchester to mark the start of the Commonwealth Games being held in the city.

The route was announced by HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.

He said said the relay would travel within a one hour drive of 95 per cent of the UK population, on its way to the Commonwealth Games.

The mammoth event will pass through 500 towns, cover more than 5,000 miles and involve 5,000 relay runners.

Competitions will be set up locally to decide who carries the baton through Blackburn and Chorley, with people who achieved goals against the odds most likely to hold the baton.

Coun Kate Hollern, executive member for leisure and culture at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said officers had worked hard to ensure Blackburn was included in the route.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted that the baton will pass through our borough on the way to the Commonwealth Games.

"Our staff have been working with the organisers of the games to ensure that this can happen and for us to take part in the Queen's relay.

"Next year will be extra special as is it is the Queen's Golden Jubilee and we will be joining in with the sporting fun in this borough."

The relay event is designed to help the entire country celebrate the Queen's jubilee and the start of the Commonwealth Games.

Charles Allen, Chairman of Manchester 2002 Ltd, the company behind the Commonwealth Games, said: "The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay is a fantastic opportunity for everyone in Britain to play their part in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

"I invite everyone to become involved as a runner or a spectator so count yourself in."

The relay begins in the UK on 6 June and ends its epic journey on 25 July.

The Queen will remove her special message of peace and goodwill from the baton and reads it to the assembled Commonwealth Nations at the opening ceremony of the games.

East Lancashire is also hosting several events in the Commonwealth Games, with cycling races lined up for Rivington.