It's time to Party!

Organisers of the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games want the ten-day event to live in the memory forever.

It is even set to outshine football's acclaimed Euro 96 tournament.

Tomorrow, the Queen's Jubilee Baton relay arrives in Bolton at around 4.30pm after being carried on a 60,000-mile trip across the world.

It will be met by a host of singers and dancers in Victoria Square. The fun starts at 2pm.

Young Zulu warriors will pack the square and pupils from Tonge Moor Primary School and St Brendan's School will put their singing voices to good use.

But when The Queen opens the 17th Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Thursday, the town's party mood will go into overdrive.

Events taking place in Bolton are the badminton tournament, at the prestigious Bolton Arena -- which the Duke of Edinburgh will attend on Friday -- and the cycling at picturesque Rivington. People venturing into Manchester, where the bulk of the events are being held, will be able to take part in street parties stretching right across the city centre.

But even those staying closer to home in Bolton will have plenty to cheer.

More than 4,000 people will pack into Spa Playing Fields in Spa Road, Bolton, on Sunday for the Mela Festival, a celebration of all things Asian.

And thousands more will enjoy a host of other events across the borough -- undoubtedly making local businesses happy, too, by packing pubs, cafes and restaurants.

It is estimated that Games visitors will spend an average of £168 each -- meaning more than £30 million could pour into the town's coffers.

Bolton has adopted New Zealand for the duration of the Games, with civic leaders holding a reception to welcome their athletes and VIPs.

Nicola Brown, marketing manager for Bolton Council, said: "This is going to be a crucial time for Bolton and a chance to truly put the town on the international map.

"We've gone flat out to make the Commonwealth Games fun for everybody, whether they are into sport or not. It's time to party."