Olympic Torch Leaves West Mercia

The Olympic torch has left the West Mercia Police area after huge crowds turned out to watch the flame pass through parts of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

The force had a large policing operation in place to deal with the thousands of spectators who took advantage of the hot weather to cheer on the torch bearers.

The flame passed through several places yesterday (Thursday 24 May) including Ledbury, Hereford and Leominster; where former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies carried the torch.

The torch then passed on to Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer and Bewdley - where the Olympic flame had a ride on the Severn Valley Railway and was saluted by two elephants from the local safari park.   

After visiting Kidderminster and Droitwich the flame arrived in Worcester for the evening event at New Road cricket ground. A crowd of 10,000 people were entertained inside the ground while 60,000 were out on the streets to enjoy the occasion.    

Assistant Chief Constable Guy Rutter, Protective Services, said: "It was fantastic to see the Olympic torch in our area and a great time was had by all. The policing operation passed off smoothly and we look forward to welcoming the torch back to West Mercia next week."    

Athlete Darren Campbell was one of the torch bearers this morning (25 May) as the flame left Worcester. It then travelled to Powick, Malvern and Ross on Wye before crossing over the border into Monmouth, Wales.     

On Wednesday 30 May the torch returns to West Mercia and visits Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Much Wenlock, Broseley, Ironbridge and Telford before arriving in Staffordshire.                  

Issued: Friday 25 May 2012