70 runners to carry Olympic torch through Shropshire

The route the Olympic torch will take through Shropshire was revealed today – with people flying in from as far away as Greece to carry the flame through the county.

The 70 bearers are made up of a mixture of Greeks, Midlanders and locals – including the oldest person to run a leg of the county relay, 82-year-old Ron Miles, of Jackfield.

Mr Miles is a well-known community leader who is the patron of the Jackfield Branch of the Royal British Legion. He is also a well-known historian.

This afternoon a spokeswoman for Shropshire Council said the authority had not known that a high proportion of Greeks would be taking part locally until this morning.

She said the organisers had wanted to include worthy candidates from Athens and had slotted them in.

The representatives from Telford who will bear the flame are Abraham Darby Academy head girl Zoe Ayton, 17; Stuart Watson, 16; cross country champion Dani Rowlinson, 14, from Wellington; Jack Ball Smith,15; Gem Morgan, 17, Katherine Butler, 43; Leighmarie Denley, 41 and Mr Miles.

Torch bearers will carry the flame for an average of 300 metres.

The torch will visit on May 24, through Leominster, Ludlow, Clee Hill, Cleobury Mortimer, Far Forest and Callow Hill. It will return on May 30 in Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Much Wenlock, Benthall and Broseley.

It will also visit Telford & Wrekin that day, winding its way through Ironbridge before heading to Telford town centre and Newport.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota said: "This promises to be a great day to get involved. It's also a great opportunity to put the borough into the world's window. I hope thousands of people will come out to line the streets."

The Olympic flame arrives in the UK on 18 May and begins its 70-day 8,000-mile journey at Land's End on the morning of May 19.