Jubilee baton reaches halfway stage

The Relay is heading for Commonwealth Games

The Jubilee Baton Relay has reached the half way point in its 50-day journey across the UK.

The tour started on 6 June after completing a marathon tour of 22 Commonwealth countries.

It will culminate on 25 July with the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Michael Hales, from Sutton Coldfield was the halfway runner, when he reached the 2,500th mile as he carried the baton through Derby.

It has passed through the hands of an impressive line-up, including Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, record-breaking runner Lord Sebastian Coe, and football legend Sir Geoff Hurst.

Baton snatch

The 2,500th runner to carry the baton last Sunday was a 61-year-old heart transplant patient.

The high-tech baton is fitted with sensors which monitor the runner's pulse, before transforming it into a blade of blue light.

The baton has already travelled through Jersey, Guernsey, Scotland and Wales, where it was snatched from the runner by a passer-by.

Over the next few weeks, the longest relay in history will visit London and the North East before making its way around the North West and Manchester.

Footballing great Sir Bobby Charlton, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and funny man Johnny Vegas are among those who will take part in the event over the remaining days.