Island communities to welcome Olympic torch

A series of events will be held at venues along the Olympic Torch route to welcome the flame when it arrives on the Isle of Wight on Saturday, 14 July.

A flotilla of boats are expected to accompany the 1205 Wightlink sailing from Lymington across the Solent as it arrives in Yarmouth just before 1245.

The Torch will then be taken to The Needles Park when the venue will host a special sports-themed day from 1100 to welcome the flame. The Torch will be taken down the famous chair lift which is expected to attract national interest.

From The Needles Park, the Torch will head back into Yarmouth where pupils at Yarmouth Primary School will welcome the Torch with a large banner as it is carried through the town centre. The town will also host a fun fair from 1100.

After making its way to Gunville, church bells will be rung as the torchbearers run through Carisbrooke High Street into Newport town centre where a children's carnival will welcome the Torch. There will also be a fun day and dancing displays as well as the sound of the bells of Newport Minster.

Competitors at the annual Primary School Island Games will also give a rapturous reception to the flame as it heads along Fairlee Road outside the entrance to Medina College.

The final leg of the journey for the Torch will see it visit Osborne House in East Cowes where the BBC's Blue Peter Big Olympic Tour road show will be based which will include a live broadcast in the morning.

The Torch will then complete its journey by boarding the 1630 Red Funnel sailing. The boat has had a large Union Flag painted on one of its funnels to mark the occasion.

A full list of timings and details maps showing the Torch route can be accessed by logging on to www.iwight.com/olympictorchrelay.

The page also includes travel advice and information on road closures and parking restrictions for the Torch relay.