Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy, above left, nominates former British Cycling national coach Geoff Cooke, above right, to carry the London 2012 Olympic Flame with Lloyds TSB.

What is the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay?

The Olympic Games are heading for London in just over a year’s time and Lloyds TSB is backing the great occasion every step of the way.

As the National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB is making sure as many people as possible in the UK see the Olympic Flame.

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will be a 70-day celebration that will see the Olympic Flame carried across the length and breadth of the UK all the way to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece, before arriving in the UK on May 18, 2012. It will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers on a relay through towns and cities coming within a one-hour journey for 95 per cent of the population, past famous sights and landmarks, before arriving at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27 2012.

The community-level route will be announced later this year.

Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torch Tour

The Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torch Tour is an interactive exhibition bringing the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay to local communities across the UK between 9 June and 4 September 2011.

Visitors can have their photo taken with a prototype London 2012 Olympic Torch and learn about the history of the Olympic Torch Relay.

The Tour will visit over 80 communities across the UK, including town and city centres and Lloyds TSB branches.

Everyone is invited to visit the Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torch Tour and to share the journey.

Check out when the Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torch Tour will be visiting a community near you at lloydstsb.com/torchtour

How can I nominate someone to be an Olympic Torchbearer?

Lloyds TSB is providing people with the chance to nominate someone who has made a difference in their local community.

Their reward could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

It could be a coach who helps young athletes, the teenager for volunteering in the community, the mum who raises money for charity or simply someone who has inspired you.

How to nominate

Find out how to nominate someone at http://www.lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame. Please use campaign code TORCHRELAY.  All entries must be received by 12th September 2011.

o Lloyds TSB is the promoter.

o Nominations close on 12th September 2011.

o Anyone nominated (nominee) under the Trinity keyword is not eligible to be considered under any of the 800 Bank Torchbearer opportunities available.

o Nominators and nominees must be 12 years or over. If a nominee under 18 is chosen to take part a parent or guardian must sign a consent form in order to participate.

o Torchbearers will be selected by a selection panel chosen by the Trinity partnership. 

o Participation in the Olympic Torch Relay (“Relay”) is subject to LOCOG approval.

o Nominators and Nominees agree to publicity in connection with their participation in the Relay.

o Further terms and conditions apply. See http://www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/en/carrytheflame/Terms-and-conditions/ 

Driving force Val in the frame

Having landed a “Pride of Shropshire” award earlier this month, the driving force behind the North Shropshire Special Olympics, Val Hanover would be a worthy community champion to carry the flame on the county’s behalf.

The Oswestry-based campaigner’s track record in working with people with learning disabilities stretches back to the mid-1960s.

And for over two decades, she has been pivotal in the special Olympics movement, helping less able members of society enjoy the benefits sport and exercise can bring.

Val is also a former winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s unsung hero trophy.

“People continually congratulate us for the work we do in offering sport to this vulnerable group of people,” she says.