SOUTHAMPTON citizens will be on their marks, getting set and going when they take part in a huge street party in the build-up to next summer's Commonwealth Games.

The city will be put through its hospitality paces during the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay on June 21. A two-hour evening community festival in front of the Civic Centre will be the highlight of the Hampshire leg of the UK-wide relay. The baton will also be passing through Winchester, Eastleigh, Swaythling and Fareham.

The relay will be a double celebration of the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, from July 25-August 4, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Year.

Some of the participants in the relay will be recruited from local groups and sports clubs and will be nominated for the contribution they have made to improve the lives of others, to support their local community or to have achieved a personal goal against the odds.

Southampton received an exclusive preview of the specially designed hi-tech baton, which emits a pulse of light in time with the runner's heartbeat, when a Manchester 2002 delegate visited Weston Park Boys' School in Sholing.

Cabinet Member for Leisure & Recreation, Councillor Derek Burke, said the relay would put Southampton on the "worldwide map".

He said: "We are very pleased to be part of the build-up to such a great sporting event. It will provide a lot of local people to show off their skills and hospitality."

The nomination process for relay volunteers, who will be expected to run, jog, walk or wheel 500 yards each, is now open.

Nomination forms can be found on the Commonwealth Games website at www.commonwealthgames.com - or can be requested from the Games Inform-ation Line on 0870 609 2002. Closing date for nominations is January 4.