This is the way

THE Olympic flame's route through Oldham

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THE Olympic torch will light up the town centre on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the borough.

Oldham Council has revealed the official route as the famous flame travels from Ashton, through Oldham and on to Yorkshire.

Oldhamers are expected to flock to the streets to catch a glimpse of torchbearers as they carry the icon, set to arrive in the borough at around 10.45am on Sunday, June 24. The bearers, chosen from 60,000 hopefuls, will make their way up Ashton Road (A627) from outside Hathershaw College before heading into the town centre via King Street, Rochdale Road and St Mary’s Way.

The torch will then be carried down High Street and Yorkshire Street before being paraded down Oldham Way towards Huddersfield Road. Councillor Hugh McDonald said: “We are delighted — the experience will live with the torchbearers for the rest of their lives.”

Several shining lights have already been chosen from our community, including 20-year-old boxer Andrew Lofthouse, from Fitton Hill.

He won a gold medal in Muay Thai at the World Championships in 2010, and will carry the torch on a 300-metre stretch as part of its 70-day relay on the road to the summer’s games.

He’ll join 81-year-old fitness fanatic Muriel Brown, from Uppermill, who has excelled in running and still trains regularly.

The pair will don white and gold outfits designed by Adidas during their stretches.

A section of the London 2012 website went live today, with locals able to access a street-by-street guide and estimated arrival times of where the torch will be.

The torch will visit the borough on day 36 of its trip around the UK, journeying from Manchester and Stockport to Oldham before going on to Huddersfield, Bradford, Skipton and Leeds and the rest of Yorkshire.

An average of 115 torchbearers per day will be doing the honours during the 8,000-mile trip, finishing at the Olympic Stadium on July 27.

Youngsters are also set to get a slice of the action, with schools now able to access free learning resources linked to the torch relay.

Schools and colleges will be able to make the most of lining the route with activities including making hats and shakers to welcome the torch.




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