MORE than 400 children took part in sporting events to mark the visit of the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton to Droitwich.

Pupils from the Spa’s high school as well as those from first and middle schools in the town got a taste of Indian sports such as kabadi in preparation for next year’s games in New Delhi.

Badminton ace Gail Emms, a mixed doubles gold medal winner at the 2006 games in Melbourne, was also at the school to speak to students.

The Queen’s Baton is currently touring every Com-monwealth country ahead of the 2010 extravaganza and is only in England until the end of the week.

Droitwich is one of the few host towns and mayor, councillor Maureen Lawley, was presented with the baton as part of the celebrations.

High school headteacher Natalie Waters said: “It was an absolute honour and privilege to have the baton here.

“The baton is now going to pass through 70 countries in the Commonwealth and to think the hands of our children are being linked to other hands around the world that we can’t see is really exciting.”