Visit Kent is celebrating a record 40,500 entries to the My Kent Big Weekend free ticket ballot in the first seven days after the event website went fully live.

The website, www.mykentbigweekend.co.uk, is open for free ticket applications to more than 120 of the county’s top attractions until midnight on Monday, February 13.

“The My Kent Big Weekend has become a highlight of the county calendar and is growing in popularity year on year,” said Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive at Visit Kent which organises the event.

“In the first week alone visits to the website have been up 22 per cent on the same period last year so I think we will be breaking all our previous records.

My Kent Big Weekend 2012 is being held on March 17 and 18 marking the end of the first English Tourism Week.

So far, Wingham Wildlife Park, Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, and Dickens World have attracted the most applications. Interest is also running high in this year’s new opportunity to discover attractions on the other side of the Channel with two My Kent Big Weekend coach trips, courtesy of Eurotunnel and Eurolines.

“Our ballot system means that every application has an equal chance. However, applications for less familiar destinations with fewer entries are much more likely to be successful,” said Mrs Matthews-Marsh.

“One key aim of the My Kent Big Weekend is to encourage local people to explore new attractions and try out new experiences.

“I’d certainly recommend browsing through all the destinations on the website and seeking out something different for 2012 such as spending an evening with Tim Bentinck (David Archer) from BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, taking a fascinating tour of Chilham – one of our most delightful villages – or enjoying one of our special featured walks in partnership with the countryside experts at Explore Kent.

“One of the real joys of the My Kent Big Weekend is that it is our chance to discover the wide variety and wealth of activities that entertain our 56.6 million visitors every year.”

People without internet access can apply for free My Kent Big Weekend tickets, two per Kent household, at visitor information centres across the county.

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