Olympic Flame starts journey to Shropshire

The Olympic Flame today started its 8,000-mile journey across Britain as the countdown to the London 2012 Games began.

The torch was flown via Sea King helicopter to Land's End in Cornwall for the start of the relay.

Click on the image to the right for photos

Eight thousand people will pass the flame along a route which will see it head through thousands of cities, towns and villages over 70 days until the start of the Games on July 27.

It will pass through Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer on May 24 before returning to the county on May 30 when it will travel through Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Benthall, Broseley, Ironbridge, Telford, Newport and Much – which is considered to be the birthplace of the modern Olympics.

The Olympic Flame arrived at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on a flight from Athens last night and was accompanied by former England football captain David Beckham, the Princess Royal, chairman of Games organisers Locog, Sebastian Coe, and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Once on British soil, the distinctive gold London 2012 torch was lit from the lantern and was then passed on to Beckham.

He then climbed on to a stage and used the torch to light a cauldron at the air-sea rescue base which burned overnight.

Lord Coe said: "The arrival of the Olympic Flame on home soil is a magical moment for any host country.

"It will connect millions of people around the UK to the Games in a unique way and allows us to celebrate the best of the UK and its people."

A welcoming party including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg greeted the delegation as they stepped off the plane.

Mr Johnson said: "This is a fantastic moment for the London Games.

"With every day of the Torch relay, the excitement will build around the country as we look forward to this fantastic festival of sport and culture."

Asked what he thought about his role in the ceremony, Beckham said: "Amazing, amazing day, very proud. Unforgettable."