The Olympic stadium

Dover, Rochester and Gravesend will be showing the ceremony on big, open-air screens

All eyes will be on the Olympic stadium tonight as London 2012 officially starts with the eagerly anticipated opening ceremony.

And people in Kent will be able to join in the excitement with free open-air screenings at locations across the county.

Large screens will broadcast the ceremony at Rochester Castle, Dover’s Market Square and in Community Square in Gravesend.

The spectacle, which is due to start at 9pm, has been co-ordinated by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle.

Medway Council’s portfolio holder for community services Cllr Howard Doe said: “If you want join in the fun and watch the opening ceremony on the open air screen, please do come along to Rochester Castle.

“It will be the perfect way for everyone to come together and celebrate.”

Ahead of the screenings the Medway Mile annual fun run will take place, where thousands take to the streets of Rochester, and in Dover a ‘Zumbathon’ will be held in the Markt Square to get the party started.