The countdown to the Rugby World Cup gathered pace in Kent on Thursday when the famous trophy came to the county.

The Webb Ellis Trophy visited Helen Allinson School in Longfield, Leeds Castle near Maidstone and Aylesford Bulls Rugby Club before rounding off the day at KCC County Hall.

It is hoped that the presence of the trophy will help enthuse youngsters to take up the sport – and get behind England in the World Cup which gets under way later this month.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “I feel really proud the Rugby World Cup has come into the county.

“It’s a great opportunity for the trophy to be showcased around the area and inspire a future generation of people who want to get involved in the sport.

“The earlier you get people involved in the sport, the more likely they are to go on and play it for a long time.

“We are a rugby nation already anyway. We have a strong presence in our county, we have some excellent clubs and in Aylesford I am proud of what they do to inspire kids to get involved.

“Lots of people get involved from a young age to veteran rugby and it’s something we should continue to support.”

Roger Clarke, the Kent RFU chair and also the World Cup Committee Legacy Area chairman, added: “It’s highly exciting.

“The tour is 100 days long, we’re in the last 15 days now until it arrives at Twickenham.

“One of the aspects has been the crowd having their pictures taken. It’s giving that sense of momentum and arrival of the World Cup.”