THE search is on for Darlington people to take part in the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay to mark the run-up to the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The town will be one of the many venues to host a leg of the relay, which starts at Buckingham Palace on March 11 and will tour about 20 countries before returning to the UK in June.

For 50 days, it will then travel the length and breadth of the country before being handed to the Queen, who will read the message it contains and formally open the games.

A total of 5,000 individuals will carry the baton 500 yards each in this country, and Darlington Borough Council is seeking members of the public to nominate community representatives, athletes, celebrities and people from all walks of life as runners.

Runners can complete their section of the event at their own pace, and disabled people are not excluded from taking part.

Darlington Mayor Councillor Isobel Hartley said: "It is a great honour for the town to be invited to take part in such an historic event."

The deadline for nominations is January 4.

They can be made via the Internet at www.commonwealthgames.com.