THE countdown to the 2014 Commonwealth Games begins today ...

and Glasgow school pupils are getting fully involved.

With the official launch of the Queen's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, city youngsters are gearing up for their very own relay.

Around 70 primaries and nurseries in Glasgow are twinned with a Commonwealth country.

And as the baton reaches each of the 70 countries taking part in the 2014 Games, a Glasgow baton will visit the corresponding primary, starting at the City Chambers on Friday.

It will be waved off by the Lord Provost Sadie Docherty and carried by pupils from Balornock Primary.

More than 70 schools and nurseries will be visited in the months from now until Glasgow 2014.

The baton will be carried 203 miles around the city from October 11 to June 13, when the closing ceremony takes place.

Glasgow's baton was designed by Liam Doherty, from St Andrew's Secondary, after he entered a competition open to high school pupils in S3 to S6.

The 14-year-old was among hundreds of pupils who submitted designs for the baton.

Glasgow Housing Association's Gold Medal Legacy programme funded the design and production of the baton, which was made by company Product Sprout.

As part of his prize, Liam won a tour of the Product Sprout offices before being taken to Glasgow School of Art's design workshop to see the baton being made.

Among the schools taking part is Royston Primary, twinned with Sri Lanka, on October 23.

Pupils will line Saracen Street and have a Scottish procession, including piper, flags - and the Loch Ness Monster.

The baton will stay at Royston Primary for two hours before being taken, by Sri Lankan tuk tuk taxi, to Chirnsyde Primary.

During the visit, pupils will get to sample Sri Lankan food, dance, poetry and singing.

Glasgow's baton will contain a message from the Lord Provost, Councillor Sadie Doherty.

She said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for school children to be actively involved in the countdown to Glasgow 2014.

"The fact that the schools' baton relay is mirroring the Queen's Baton, and using the schools twinned with each country the baton will be travelling to, is a genius idea.

GHA chairman Gordon Sloan said: "The Glasgow Schools' Baton Relay is a great event which will involve hundreds of young people from across the city.

"I hope all the young people who participate will feel part of the buzz of the Games and help build a lasting legacy for our communities."

Cube housing chairwoman Liz Ruine said: "The relay is a great example of a project which encourages youngsters to exercise and lead fitter and healthier lives and we're delighted to support it.

"We wish all the schools the best of luck."

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk