Medway is to have its moment of Olympic glory as the iconic torch will be coming through the Towns before the games.

Torchbearers will take to the streets of Chatham, Gillingham and Rochester on Friday, July 20 after an overnight stop in Maidstone.

The torch will then go through Higham and onto Gravesend.

People will be able to line the route to cheer as it makes its way to London in time for the opening ceremony one week later.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has worked closely with representatives from a number of sectors in Medway and further details will be given closer to the date.

Sebastian Coe, pictured below, chairman of LOCOG, said: 'We are thrilled to confirm that Medway will all act as a host location for the Olympic flame, extending an invitation to local people to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.

"This is the UK's moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Medway to start planning how they can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Medway Council leader Cllr Rodney Chambers said: "It is great news. Without a doubt, the relay will be a fun and inspiring moment for Medway as people will be able to come along and support torchbearers and help showcase our area to those watching on television."

The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land's End on the morning of May 19, 2012.

On leaving Land's End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals the chance to see it.

On the final day of the Olympic Torch Relay, it is planned that the flame will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium for the start of the Games on Friday, July 27.

The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community.

Successful nominees will be contacted in December with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012.

Today also sees LOCOG launch its Local Leaders initiative, an invitation to people to take the 2012 Games into their community and create their own celebrations for the torch relay and other key moments during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.