Wellington anger over Olympic torch route snub

The mayor of Wellington has hit out at the organisers of the 2012 Games for snubbing the town when deciding the route of the Olympic Torch – despite its historical links with William Penny Brookes.

Councillor Lesley Street said she was considering e-mailing Lord Coe to ask him to check his history after Wellington was omitted from the Olympic torch list despite its links with the original games.

A spokesman for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) said they had tried to go to as many places as possible.

But he added organisers had to take some 'very difficult' decisions about the route and were not able to include everywhere.

Councillor Street said: "We found out about three years ago that Wellington was the second place to have hosted an original Olympic games event in 1861 but trying to get it mentioned is like banging your head against a brick wall. We hoped someone would do their homework but the torch is not touching Wellington."

Wellington Town Council is now writing to Telford & Wrekin Council asking for its help ingetting the connection recognised.

A Locog spokesperson said: "'Locog has worked together with representatives from the local authorities and sports, culture, heritage, and tourism sectors, forming a South West Torch Relay Advisory Group.

"We will continue to work with the Advisory Group to ensure as much as possible is done to involve Wellington."

By Judith Sanders