World snooker champion Peter Ebdon was revealed today as the top celebrity who will be bringing the Queen's Jubilee Baton into York on Friday (July 5).

Peter, one of the stars of the UK Snooker Championship which was held for the first time in York last December at the Barbican Centre, will end the York leg of the baton relay shortly before 7pm on Friday evening at the Eye of York.

Peter will be welcomed to York by Lord Mayor of York Councillor David Horton, rounding off an afternoon of events designed to celebrate the arrival of the baton into York and its ownward journey to Manchester for the 17th Commonwealth Games on July 25.

The baton will be blessed in a ceremony at York Minster on Saturday morning (July 5) and then led out of the city by rising rugby league star Peter Fox from Acomb. Peter is a member of the Leeds Rhinos academy.

There will be a carnival atmosphere around the Eye of York on Friday with street theatre from 4pm and local bands. There will also be entertainment from the official baton relay roadshow crew - including a special ceremony to mark the arrival of the baton in York from Bradford.

Lord Mayor of York Councillor Horton said, "I think this is going to be a brilliant event and I am sure York will give the baton a huge welcome to celebrate the Commonwealth Games and the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

"It is very fitting that in York we have managed to draft in sporting stars of the present and future to take the baton in and out of the city but we are also very proud of every York citizen who has been selected to take part in the relay."

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Baton Facts

The Baton departed Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, 11 March 2002 and contains the Queen's Message to be read at the Opening Ceremony of the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

By July 25 when it gets to Manchester for the opening of the Commonwealth Games the baton will have travelled almost 59,000 miles across the Commonwealth visiting approximately 23 Commonwealth countries over 87 days even before arriving in Britain on June 6 for a 50 day event.

During these 50 days the Baton will: - travel the four corners of the United Kingdom - pass famous landmarks and visit areas of natural beauty and historical significance - travel within one hour's drive of 95 per cent of the United Kingdom population - spend approximately 65 per cent of its time travelling through non-metropolitan areas - travel about 5,000 miles by road - be welcomed at 50 evening community celebrations in the UK's towns and cities including the Opening Ceremony of the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester - be carried by 5,000 Runners, averaging 100 Runners per day - be carried by each Runner for approximately 500 yards - travel on approximately 30 alternative modes of transport including steam train, double-decker bus and a ferry across the Mersey - be supported by up to 33 convoy vehicles - require a 150-man support crew throughout the 50 day event - be 'on parade' for about 10-12 hours each day - require approximately 2,500 hotel rooms to accommodate the crew throughout the Relay - need around 15,000 meals during the event to feed the crew

The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay will complete its journey in the City of Manchester Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the XVII Commonwealth Games on 25 July 2002.