Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge executive portfolio holder for tourism, of Den Crescent, Teignmouth, writes:

In last week's paper, Alan Ashby posed the question of whether local councils contacted the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) to ask for the Olympic Torch Relay route to include more of Teignmouth?

The answer is a resounding 'Yes'. From the moment the route was confirmed last October Teignbridge officers and councillors, including myself, were in constant contact with LOCOG and the Team South West organisers, lobbying hard for an alternative route which took in more of the town. So, too, did Teignmouth Town Council, and our local MP made personal representations to Lord Coe.

Sadly it was not something LOCOG could accommodate due to the very strict time constraints, which is why the town council organised the local community relay involving the 1948 Torch.

This left Teignmouth Rugby Club on a route to The Den just after the official torch had come across the bridge.

Local councils worked hard to make sure the town benefitted from the event.

This included all sorts of local free activities on The Den and at Teignmouth Rugby Club, arranged by a very hard working group of council staff, councillors, sports clubs, schools and volunteers.

Whatever the route of the torch it was a day to remember, and we'd like to thank all the proud local people who helped make it such a success.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION