FAMOUS faces, unsung heroes and thousands of people made for a cracking Commonwealth party as the Queen’s Baton relay arrived in Inverclyde.

Day 41 of the baton’s tour of the country brought it to our district yesterday - and it was an action-packed day to remember.

It all began as a special cross-Clyde ceremony saw Provost Robert Moran officially bring the baton into Inverclyde on board the Western Ferries’ Sound of Soay vessel.

The iconic emblem then began a whirlwind tour of the district, taking in Greenock, Gourock, Inverkip, Quarrier’s Village, Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow before a big gig at Battery Park last night.

Two TV stars were among those carrying the baton - entrepreneur, philanthropist and author Duncan Bannatyne, from BBC’s Dragon’s Den, took part in the relay at Ravenscraig Stadium.

Meanwhile, Waterloo Road cast member Laurie Brett, also known for playing Jane Beale in EastEnders, took the baton to the Beacon Arts Centre on the waterfront.

But most of the attention was rightly on the local people who were nominated to carry the baton for their amazing achievements and the extraordinary things they do in their communities and beyond.

The baton was clutched tightly by a varied group of remarkable individuals who make a real difference to the lives of others.

Among them was Bert Boyd, a man who has given up a large amount of his time for charity, with 15 years of dedicated voluntary service with Inverclyde Peace Initiative.

The accolade comes after Bert was rewarded with an MBE and given the title of Inverclyde’s Community Volunteer of the Year in 2013.

One particularly poignant moment came when local anti-knife crime campaigner John Muir carried the baton through Inverkip, seven years to the day that his son Damian was stabbed to death.

As befits a Commonwealth Games curtain-raiser, local athletes were at the heart of the action.

Marathon man Mark Pollard, the first baton bearer of the day, joined hockey players Kareena Marshall and Gordon McIntyre, former track and field veteran Chris Robison and champion weightlifter George Byng in taking part in the historic celebrations.

People young and old were at the heart of a gala day that brought crowds out on to the streets despite showery weather.

World War Two veteran James Owens had the honour of being a baton bearer at 88, while in Port Glasgow 14-year-old Lewis McCulloch handed it over to his twin brother Fraser.

It was in recognition of the fact that not only have the two young men both developed the ability to talk after being born deaf, but they have also trained hard to become extremely talented young swimmers.

Among the day’s other highlights were visits to Cloch Lighthouse, Newark Castle, Lyle Hill War Memorial and Ardgowan Hospice before the baton went to Battery Park for the evening celebrations, with the bill led by Scottish singing sensation Nicholas McDonald.

Provost Robert Moran said: “The baton relay route touched every community in Inverclyde and I hope it inspires many to enjoy the summer of games with Glasgow 2014.” Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games and its arrival in Inverclyde and journey through Scotland is an important signal to both the athletes and the public that the Games are just around the corner.” See today's Telegraph for our five-page souvenir pull-out of the Baton Relay visit, with all the pictures and reaction from a day to remember.