The Queen’s baton for the Commonwealth Games was presented to Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA by Dame Mary Peters. Also pictured is Chris Jenkins, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games and Robert McVeigh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games NI. PIC: PRESSEYE

THE Queen’s Baton has arrived in Northern Ireland for a four-day tour.

It is the main curtain-raiser for the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow between 23 July and 3 August.

The baton contains a sealed message from the Queen Elizabeth II which will be read out at the opening ceremony.

The baton was presented to Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister on the steps of Stormont by Dame Mary Peters on Tuesday.

School children will also get the opportunity to relay the baton on Tuesday in Ards Borough Council, North Down, Antrim and Coleraine.

The baton will make its way to other parts of Northern Ireland including Londonderry, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,

The baton is the Commonwealth Games version of the Olympic torch.