Royal celebration fever is revived this weekend as the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay comes to south west London.

The baton, which contains the Queen's opening speech for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, is on the final leg of its journey of 59,000 miles, during which it has visited 23 countries since leaving Buckingham Palace on March 11.

The baton arrives first in Richmond this afternoon (Friday) and will be carried across the borough by Whitbread Round The World sailor Tracy Edwards, disabled athlete Simon Webb, England Rugby Sevens Josh Lewsey, Phil Greening, Pat Sanderson and Mike Friday, and 15-year-old Waldegrace School pupil Dina Lacmane.

It will then be carried by boat to Kingston, and winds its way through the centre of the Royal borough to arrive at Wimbledon Park today at about 5.20pm.

Merton is making the baton relay the centre of its jubilee celebrations, and among the celebrities carrying it on its way to Morden Park are Sally Gunnell and Ian Botham.

Celebrations in Morden Park, which begin at 5.30pm, include circus performers, a fun fair, dancers, drummers and highlights from the Polka Theatre's latest production, Friendly Matches.

The action then moves to Merton Abbey Mills, which will host a free jazz concert from 7.30pm.

As well, Mitcham Cricket Club holds a Jubilee Challenge match against Hambledon at Mitcham Cricket Green at 1pm.

Tomorrow, the baton which digitally pulses in time with its holder's heartbeat travels through Wandsworth to arrive in Sutton shortly after 1pm, during the borough's festival.

One of the relay racers in Sutton will be David Weir, of Wallington, who won the men's disabled section of the London Marathon.

WHERE TO SEE THE RELAY

All times are approximate and subject to last minute change. Spectators are advised to be in place 15 minutes before the relay's estimated time of arrival.

FRIDAY, July 12

2.13pm: RICHMOND Baton arrives in Richmond from Hounslow at Whitton Road nr Court Way. It then travels along Rugby Rd, veer left on to Whitton Rd (A310) to the Twickenham Rugby Ground, back onto London Rd, left on to Arragon Rd, left on to York St (A305) and right on to Richmond Rd.

2.45pm: RICHMOND Across Richmond Bridge and down to Turks Pier.

3.02pm: RICHMOND Baton Relay travels by boat to Turks Pier Kingston.

4.32pm: KINGSTON Relay follows the one-way system, following the signs to Kingston Bridge & Other Routes, veering left on to Wood St, right into Richmond Rd, left on to Cromwell Road, right on to Queen Elizabeth Rd and left on to London Rd.

5.10pm: KINGSTON Baton carried by convoy to Merton.

5.17pm: MERTON Baton Relay arrives at Wimbledon Park Side, nr the Welcome To Merton sign.

5.20pm: MERTON Baton travels left into Somerset Rd, left into Gate No 15 of All England Lawn Tennis Club, right onto Church Road, left on to the High Street (A219), right on to Merton Road and left on to Merton High Street.

6.04pm: MERTON Turns right on to Church Rd, right on to Priory Rd, right on to Christchurch Rd, left on to Western Rd, right on to London Rd, right on to Morden Rd, right on to Morden Hall Rd, left on to London Road, right on to Merton College access road, arriving at Merton College carpark at about 6.52pm.

Merton hosts an evening celebration in Morden Park, with Sally Gunnell carrying the baton on stage at 6.45pm.

SATURDAY, July 13

8.30am WANDSWORTH Baton arrives from Crystal Palace at Ambleside Ave nr Rydal Rd, turns left onto Tooting Bec Rd and is then carried by convoy to Upper Tooting Rd.

8.52am MERTON Tooting High St nr Newton and Smyl Motorbike shop, then travels by convoy.

9.23am KINGSTON Relay leaves Hook Rd nr North Star pub, left into Harrow Close, right into Harrow Harvester Pub carpark, left in to Leatherhead Rd, then departs by convoy to Guildford.

1.12pm SUTTON: Baton Relay arrives in Cheam Rd (A232), veers left on to Pound St, right on to Park Lane, veer left on to Parkgate Rd, right onto Manor Rd (A237), left on to Stafford Rd (A322).

2.08pm SUTTON Relay departs by convoy to Croydon.

July 12, 2002 17:30