Olympic Torch to visit Downing St (From Your Local Guardian)

Olympic Torch to visit Downing St

9:08am Thursday 14th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

The Olympic Flame will stop off at Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and St Paul's Cathedral on the penultimate day of the torch relay.

Day 69 of the national relay - a day before the flame will be used to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony - will see the torch weave its way past many of London's landmarks.

Announcing the route from Camden to the City of Westminster that 175 torchbearers will take, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "The penultimate day of the Olympic Torch Relay is set to include many of London's iconic landmarks which are famous around the world and give the city its special character.

"I hope that the people from these boroughs come out and line the streets to cheer on the torchbearers as the start of the Games draws near."

The big crowds which are expected along the route could see the flame at Shakespeare's Globe, passing Battersea Dogs Home and the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners. It will be also be taken to the site of the 1908 Olympic Stadium in White City, west London.

The flame will be carried through the London boroughs of Camden, Islington, City of London, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham and City of Westminster ahead of arriving at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, the next day.

With the busy travel network, big crowds and lots of road closures along the route, people should, if possible, try to get a glimpse of the flame when it passes through the area most local to their homes or where they work, according to London 2012 and Transport for London. Motorists are urged not to drive into central London.

After touring the capital, the flame will arrive at Hyde Park for a ticketed concert headlined by rapper Dizzee Rascal. The Wanted, Mark Ronson and Katy B, Eliza Doolittle, You Me At Six, Rizzle Kicks, Wretch 32, Morning Parade, Loick Essien and Little Comets are among the bands on the bill

The eight-hour show ends with the last torchbearer of the day lighting a celebration cauldron on stage so the Olympic Flame can be seen by the audience.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "We kicked off this incredible summer like no other with the huge success of the Queen's Jubilee and as the flame makes its way to the magnificent Hyde Park for its final night we can show the world that not only are we ready to host the most exciting Games ever held, but that Londoners are already reaping the benefits and will continue to do so for many years to come."