IT WAS a proud moment when Blackpool opened its streets to the Queen's Commonwealth baton relay runners.

The baton, which had passed through 23 Commonwealth countries in 84 days, reached the Fylde Coast at around 11am on Tuesday.

A total of 25 community heroes proudly carried the baton across Blackpool in just two hours, from the borough's boundary at Garstang Road East, along St Walburga's Road, Newton Drive and Blackpool Promenade and then along Waterloo Road and out of the borough along Preston New Road.

The baton caused excitement when it stopped outside Blackpool Tower at about 11.45 where it was greeted by Tower clown Mooky and a host of fellow circus performers.

It was even carried on a Blackpool tram along the Prom from Manchester Square to Waterloo Road, accompanied by comedy duo Cannon and Ball.

Katherine O'Connor, Blackpool Borough Council's tourism and advertising manager, was one of the first to carry the baton in Blackpool, from Blackpool Old Road to Chepstow Road.

She said: "I carried it 440 yards. It was an absolutely wonderful experience that I wouldn't have missed for the world. I was so delighted that I'd been nominated."

Blackpool Mayor Councillor Ivan Taylor also had a brief chance to hold the baton. "It was smashing to have the baton coming through Blackpool and there was a lot interest. There were a lot of people around on the prom and there was a great atmosphere," he said.

Mike Chadwick, at Blackpool Borough Council's tourism department, added: "There was a cavalcade with police outriders and giant motor homes emblazoned with the baton relay logos. There was a lot of excitement. It was an honour to be chosen to be on the route."

But for council workers who created a special Commonwealth floral display the baton's arrival was more bitter than sweet.

For vandals had wrecked a giant floral tableau which had been specially planted outside St John's Church in Church Street to mark the occasion.

Flowers and turf on the sloping display were ripped up and scattered and by Tuesday morning all that remained of the wrecked feature was a square of yellowed grass on the lawns outside the church. John Blackledge, the council's principal leisure services manager, said: "On Monday night the display was heavily vandalised beyond repair and had to be taken out because it was such a mess, even to the point of having traffic cones stuck in it."

He said parks and landscape services staff were "very disappointed" because the display was to have been filmed by the BBC as a baton holder ran past.

Workers had planned to remedy some minor vandalism, but the damage caused on Monday night had made any repair impossible. "We just can't understand it. It was such a great opportunity for Blackpool," Mr Blackledge said.