THE Olympic Torch will be carried through Devon next year on its 8,000 mile journey around Britain before arriving in London for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.

It is to leave Land's End on the morning of May 19 and is being carried some 8,000 miles before arriving in the Olympic stadium more than two months later on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron.

This week, the London organising committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced the first 74 locations on the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route.

In Devon, both Plymouth and Exeter have been chosen as part of the confirmed locations on the route and the organisers are now looking for 8,000 inspirational torchbearers to carry the Olympic Flame.

Other locations are to be announced in the coming months and, as the Olympic Flame continues on its 70-day relay it is estimated that 95 per cent of the population will be within an hour's journey of seeing the torch.

It is travelling for some 12 hours daily and, the end of each of 66 of the 70 days, is to feature an early evening celebration event. That will enable thousands of people each evening to enjoy a variety of entertainment and shows staged by LOCOG and the three presenting partners – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – with the support of the host local authority.

So anyone who would like to nominate someone inspirational, who is 12 years of age or older, to be one of the relay torchbearers, the full details can be found on the LOCOG website at http://www.london2012.com">www.london2012.com.

Sally Hancock, of Lloyds TSB, said that as the only national presenting partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, it was bringing the Olympic Flame closer to communities across the UK.

'Schools and young people will have the chance to carry it through National School Sport Week and our Local Heroes programme,' she said.