Route details revealed for Paralympic Torch Relay

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) on monday announced highlights from the Paralympic Torch Relay, revealing some of the iconic landmarks the Flame will visit.

Paralympic Torch Relay plans revealed
The 24-hour Relay – presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s – will see the Paralympic Flame carried 87 miles by 580 inspirational Torchbearers, working in teams of five, from Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire to London.

The Flame will travel through communities in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire before visiting a number of iconic London landmarks, including Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square – which will host live entertainment and sport screened throughout the Paralympic Games

It will also cross the River Thames over some of London’s most famous bridges including Lambeth Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Tower Bridge, which will have a spectacular Agitos on display.

You can view a map of the Paralympic Torch Relay route on the London 2012 website.

Stoke Mandeville welcomed the Olympic Torch Relay on monday, but in 50 days time Stoke Mandeville Stadium will be the venue for the official Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony on 28 August.

Four flames from London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh will be united in the stadium to form the Paralympic Flame ahead of the 24-hour overnight Relay, concluding at the Olympic Stadium on 29 August.

Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee President, said: 'The announcement of the route for the Paralympic Torch Relay is another step closer to the start of the Paralympic Games.

'I think it is fantastic that is starts at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual birthplace of the Movement, and am confident that the British public will turn out in force to support those taking part in the Relay.'

LOCOG is encouraging over 15,000 Local Leaders to help light the way to the Paralympic Games by getting people together to make lanterns and attend their local Flame Festivals, Flame Celebrations or hold their own Light a Lantern events.