70 days 8,000 runners 8,000 miles Torch relay FAQs
Routes
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- Day 1 Land's End to Plymouth May 19
- Day 2 Plymouth to Exeter May 20
- Day 3 Exeter to Taunton May 21
- Day 4 Taunton to Bristol May 22
- Day 5 Bristol to Cheltenham May 23
- Day 6 Gloucester to Worcester May 24
- Day 7 Worcester to Cardiff May 25
- Day 8 Cardiff to Swansea May 26
- Day 9 Swansea to Aberystwyth May 27
- Day 10 Aberystwyth to Bangor May 28
- Day 11 Beaumaris to Chester May 29
- Day 12 Chester to Stoke-on-Trent May 30
- Day 13 Stoke-on-Trent to Bolton May 31
- Day 14 Bolton to Liverpool June 1
- Day 15 Liverpool to Castletown June 2
- Day 16 Belfast to Portrush June 3
- Day 17 Carrick-a-Rede to Londonderry June 4
- Day 18 Londonderry to Newry June 5
- Day 19 Dublin to Belfast June 6
- Day 20 Newcastle to Moorfields June 7
- Day 21 Stranraer to Glasgow June 8
- Day 22 Glasgow to Inverness June 9
- Day 23 Kirkwall to Lerwick June 10
- Day 24 Stornoway to Aberdeen June 11
- Day 25 Aberdeen to Dundee June 12
- Day 26 St Andrews to Edinburgh June 13
- Day 27 Edinburgh to Alnwick June 14
- Day 28 Alnwick to Newcastle upon Tyne June 15
- Day 29 Gateshead to Durham June 16
- Day 30 Durham to Middlesbrough June 17
- Day 31 Middlesbrough to Hull June 18
- Day 32 Hull to York June 19
- Day 33 York to Carlisle June 20
- Day 34 Dumfries to Bowness-on-Windermere June 21
- Day 35 Kendal to Blackpool June 22
- Day 36 Lytham St Anne's to Manchester June 23
- Day 37 Salford to Leeds June 24
- Day 38 Leeds to Sheffield June 25
- Day 39 Sheffield to Cleethorpes June 26
- Day 40 Grimsby to Lincoln June 27
- Day 41 Lincoln to Nottingham June 28
- Day 42 Nottingham to Derby June 29
- Day 43 Derby to Birmingham June 30
- Day 44 Birmingham to Coventry July 1
- Day 45 Coventry to Leicester July 2
- Day 46 Leicester to Peterborough July 3
- Day 47 Peterborough to Norwich July 4
- Day 48 Norwich to Ipswich July 5
- Day 49 Ipswich to Chelmsford July 6
- Day 50 Chelmsford to Cambridge July 7
- Day 51 Cambridge to Luton July 8
- Day 52 Luton to Oxford July 9
- Day 53 Oxford to Reading July 10
- Day 54 Reading to Salisbury July 11
- Day 55 Salisbury to Weymouth July 12
- Day 56 Portland Bill to Bournemouth July 13
- Day 57 Bournemouth to Southampton July 14
- Day 58 Southampton to Portsmouth July 15
- Day 59 Portsmouth to Brighton July 16
- Day 60 Brighton to Hastings July 17
- Day 61 Hastings to Dover July 18
- Day 62 Deal to Maidstone July 19
- Day 63 Maidstone to Guildford July 20
- Day 64 Greenwich to Waltham Forest July 21
- Day 65 Redbridge to Bexley July 22
- Day 66 Lewisham to Wandsworth July 23
- Day 67 Kingston to Ealing July 24
- Day 68 Harrow to Haringey July 25
- Day 69 Camden to Westminster July 26
- Day 70 Hampton Court to Olympic Stadium July 27
70 days; 70 routes
- Day 1 Land's End to Plymouth
- Day 2 Plymouth to Exeter
- Day 3 Exeter to Taunton
- Day 4 Taunton to Bristol
- Day 5 Bristol to Cheltenham
- Day 6 Gloucester to Worcester
- Day 7 Worcester to Cardiff
- Day 8 Cardiff to Swansea
- Day 9 Swansea to Aberystwyth
- Day 10 Aberystwyth to Bangor
- Day 11 Beaumaris to Chester
- Day 12 Chester to Stoke-on-Trent
- Day 13 Stoke-on-Trent to Bolton
- Day 14 Bolton to Liverpool
- Day 15 Liverpool to Castletown
- Day 16 Belfast to Portrush
- Day 17 Carrick-a-Rede to Londonderry
- Day 18 Londonderry to Newry
- Day 19 Dublin to Belfast
- Day 20 Newcastle to Moorfields
- Day 21 Stranraer to Glasgow
- Day 22 Glasgow to Inverness
- Day 23 Kirkwall to Lerwick
- Day 24 Stornoway to Aberdeen
- Day 25 Aberdeen to Dundee
- Day 26 St Andrews to Edinburgh
- Day 27 Edinburgh to Alnwick
- Day 28 Alnwick to Newcastle upon Tyne
- Day 29 Gateshead to Durham
- Day 30 Durham to Middlesbrough
- Day 31 Middlesbrough to Hull
- Day 32 Hull to York
- Day 33 York to Carlisle
- Day 34 Dumfries to Bowness-on-Windermere
- Day 35 Kendal to Blackpool
- Day 36 Lytham St Anne's to Manchester
- Day 37 Salford to Leeds
- Day 38 Leeds to Sheffield
- Day 39 Sheffield to Cleethorpes
- Day 40 Grimsby to Lincoln
- Day 41 Lincoln to Nottingham
- Day 42 Nottingham to Derby
- Day 43 Derby to Birmingham
- Day 44 Birmingham to Coventry
- Day 45 Coventry to Leicester
- Day 46 Leicester to Peterborough
- Day 47 Peterborough to Norwich
- Day 48 Norwich to Ipswich
- Day 49 Ipswich to Chelmsford
- Day 50 Chelmsford to Cambridge
- Day 51 Cambridge to Luton
- Day 52 Luton to Oxford
- Day 53 Oxford to Reading
- Day 54 Reading to Salisbury
- Day 55 Salisbury to Weymouth
- Day 56 Portland Bill to Bournemouth
- Day 57 Bournemouth to Southampton
- Day 58 Southampton to Portsmouth
- Day 59 Portsmouth to Brighton
- Day 60 Brighton to Hastings
- Day 61 Hastings to Dover
- Day 62 Deal to Maidstone
- Day 63 Maidstone to Guildford
- Day 64 Greenwich to Waltham Forest
- Day 65 Redbridge to Bexley
- Day 66 Lewisham to Wandsworth
- Day 67 Kingston to Ealing
- Day 68 Harrow to Haringey
- Day 69 Camden to Westminster
- Day 70 Hampton Court to Olympic Stadium
Explore our map to find out where the torch is going each day or check the text version to see a list of locations.
- Map colour key
- Past day
- Today
- Future day
- Find out more
Estimated arrival times
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Durham
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Sherburn
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Sherburn Hill
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Haswell Plough
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Peterlee
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Horden
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Blackhall Colliery
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Hartlepool
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Billingham
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Sedgefield
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Bishop Auckland
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Shildon
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Middridge
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Newton Aycliffe
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High Beaumont Hill
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Harrogate Hill
-
Darlington
-
Stockton-on-Tees
-
Middlesbrough
- Map colour key
- Start stop
- Finish stop
- Past stop
- Torch location
- Future stop
- Approximate route
- Find out more
Estimated arrival times
-
Durham
- Silver Street
- Claypath
- Gilesgate
- Gilesgate (A181)
- Sherburn Road (A181)
- Front Street (A181)
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Sherburn
- Front Street (B1283)
- Aston Walk (B1283)
- Front Street (B1283)
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Sherburn Hill
- Front Street (B1283)
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Haswell Plough
- Durham (B1283)
- Front Street (B1283)
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Peterlee
- Burnhope Way (B1320)Way
- Burnhope Way (B1320)
- Burnhope Way (B1320)Way
- Burnhope Way (B1320)
- Burnhope Way (B1320)Way
- Surtees Road (B1320)
- Yoden Way (B1320)
- Manor Way
- Dene Community School
- Manor Way
- Yoden Way
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Horden
- Cotsford lane (A1086)
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Blackhall Colliery
- Coast Road (A1086)
- Middle Street (A1086)
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Hartlepool
- Easington Road (A1086)
- A179
- Raby Road
- Middleton Road
- Marina Way
- The Highlight
- Maritime Experience Access Road
- Maritime Experience
- Maritime Avenue
- Marina Way
- Stockton Street (A689)
- Stranton (A689)
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Billingham
- Wolviston Road
- Station Road
- Central Avenue
- Cowpen Lane
- Belasis Avenue (B1275)
- South View (B1275)
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Sedgefield
- Stockton Road
- West End
- Station road
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Bishop Auckland
- Castle Chare
- Market Place
- Newgate Street
- Cockton Hill Road
- St Andrews Road
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Shildon
- Auckland Terrace (B6282)
- Main Street
- Church Street
- Middridge lane
- Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre
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Middridge
- Middridge lane
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Newton Aycliffe
- Burn lane
- Central Avenue
- St Cuthburts Way
- St. Cuthberts Way
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High Beaumont Hill
- North Road (A167)
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Harrogate Hill
- North Road (A167)
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Darlington
- North Road (A167)
- High Northgate (A167)
- Northgate (A167)
- St Cuthbert's Way (A167)
- Freemans Place (B6279)
- Haughton Road (B6279)
- Vicarage Road
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Stockton-On-Tees
- Yarm Road (A1027)
- Hartburn Lane
- Greens Lane
- Oxbridge Lane
- Oxbridge Avenue (A1027)
- Bishopton Avenue (A1027)
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Middlesbrough
- Heywood Street (A1032)
- Ayresome Green lane
- Ayresome Street
- Linthorpe Road
- Dorman Museum Footpath
- Linthorpe Road
- Borough Road
- Albert Road
- Centre Square Corridor
Evening Celebration
Centre Square, Middlesbrough
Torch Relay News
Watch/Listen
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Watch Olympic torch relay highlights -
Watch 'Olympomania' at Hyde Park -
Watch Torch visits Downing Street -
Watch 'Eddie and Patsy' carry flame -
Watch Bollywood star carries flame -
Watch Olympic torch: Banks at Wembley -
Watch Torch visits EastEnders set -
Watch Tennis stars in Olympic torch relay -
Watch South London hosts torch relay -
Watch Skier takes flame on London Eye
0816: Good morning and welcome to today's coverage of the London 2012 Olympic torch relay.
Today the torch travels from outside Durham's UNESCO World Heritage site castle and cathedral to Middlesbrough.
Your writers this morning are Christine Jeavans and Claire Heald.
0819: Today's first torchbearer is England and Durham cricketer Paul Collingwood, who won the Ashes three times for England and made 68 Test and 232 limited over appearances for his country.
0822: We'll have to watch him with the torch - the first England captain to lead his side to victory in a global tournament - winning the World International Twenty20 in 2010 - was typically self-deprecating about his fielding prowess, joking: "I've dropped a few in the past but I don't really want to be dropping the torch."
0824: In the centre of the picture there, the statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, has been in Durham centre since 1729.
He was the gift of George Bowes, of Gibside and Streatlam, near Barnard Castle, who unexpectedly inherited his family's estate at the age of just 21.
0825: Durham Cathedral has been described as 'one of the great architectural experiences of Europe'. It is renowned as a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. It was begun in 1093 and largely completed within 40 years.
It is the only cathedral in England to retain almost all of its Norman craftsmanship, and one of few to preserve the unity and integrity of its original design.
And never too early for music on a Sunday morning in Durham it seems - as the jazz band are playing.
0830: Good crowd out early doors in Durham. Van Morrison's Moon Dance playing out now.
0842: Here comes Paul Collingwood with the torch, he's off and running, the first on a journey which will see the torch arrive in Middlesbrough later today.
Good crowds out to see him run in the very centre of Durham.
"Go on Paul," shouts one.
0843: Short but sweet. Over to Bill Routledge, 79, nominated by his grandson who plays Paralympic boccia for England.
"When I was four years old, my Dad died and Grandad immediately stepped into his shoes, taking early retirement from work, he has been a constant source of support, played with me tirelessly as a child and given me the opportunity to experience life to the full".
It's a steep hill here for Bill.
0849: Up next and carrying the torch high in his hand is Alan Brunskill who was a intensive care nurse for many years before retiring.
His nomination says "his bedside manner was legendary in the units he worked in".
He was also a member of the Territorial Army for 42 years, starting as a 17 year old Bugle Boy and was working in the mines at the time.
0850: He's flanked by his own team of photographers here, with the Olympic rings and "Team Brunskill" on their t-shirts.
And a banner.
0853: Excitement here from elite rower Naomi Hoogesteger, 31, from Wells, who rolls her arms in a "ready to go" move before setting off with the torch.
Naomi was the only female member of the world record-winning crew which last year rowed across the Atlantic in 31 days and 23 hours. A senior GB rowing team member, she also won 2005 World Championships Bronze medal.
During the Atlantic row, she and her crewmates raised £35,000 for two charities: Combat Stress and St. Margaret's Somerset Hospice.
0855: Huge cheers for Daniel Miller 17, who represents Whizz Kids - a charity for disabled children. His nomination says "he helps others to lead happy active lives!"
He's waving to the crowds here, as he makes his way along the street.
His friends, dressed in that Stella McCartney-designed Team GB kit, are holding a banner for him.
0902: It's a light jog out for bank manager Alan Dobson, from Glasgow, who coaches football for children and has introduced 100 youngsters to the junior Great Scottish Run.
Lovely homemade paper torch held aloft by a girl sitting high on someone's shoulders there.
0909: Beautiful scene of the open countryside on the edge of Durham as the torch is clapped off into the bus by the crowd, and we are off in convoy to Sherburn.
0912: A lot of banners made today to support the torch bearers. And a nice Jubilympics-style Union Flag hoodie there.
On home turf here's Kieran Mennell, 18, who gives his time to youth clubs, winning young volunteer of the year award in 2007 and a Princess Diana Award in 2009.
His nominator says: "This man means the world to me, and he has been my best friend for many, many years. I couldn't ask for a better friend. Not ever."
He has a wave and a thumbs-up for a lady in the crowd there.
0914: They're noisy in the centre of Sherburn this morning, big crowds as the torch is handed on.
0916: Watching for quick moves here - fencer Kira Roberts, 22, is studying for a masters in English at University College, Durham University.
She competes nationally and internationally for women's sabre at senior level and is on the Talented Athlete Sponsorship Scheme.
0918: Bouncing up now is British junior champion trampolinist Alex Houston, 19, from Consett. He began trampolining at age six and was national standard by 13.
Alex and his partner have been British champions for the past four years and have represented GB at world and European championships, winning three silver medals along the way.
Few people realise that Alex suffers from the genetic condition cystic fibrosis.
0920: Great views across the moors around Durham this Sunday morning as Alex makes his way uphill.
0926: He hands the flame over to another bouncy torchbearer, Joanne Rear from Durham.
She set up and developed Billingham Trampoline Club in 2002, single-handedly raising funds to rent premises and buy equipment for the club which has now swelled to some 200 members across five venues.
0936: Off to Haswell Plough in the convoy now.
Richie Howe tweeted us @BBC2012: "Carrying the Olympic Torch today through Darlington - What about my cake?"
What indeed, Richie, it's a beauty!
0940: Taking on the torch here is Kat Langton, 20, is a wheelchair racer who combines training with studying media at Northumbria University.
Looks like a tough uphill climb for Kat here, but she is smiling and bantering with the torch security team.
0944: Running up the hill now is Isaac Milburn's, whose dedication to boxing has earned him four national schoolboy championship golden glove titles. He will represent England in June.
Looks like a big and proud moment for Isaac as he makes a determined run.
0946: Lots of tots on Dad's shoulders this morning, out to secure a good view.
A nice way to start Father's Day.
0948: The torch is off now to Peterlee.
0955: First to run in Peterlee is Donald MacInnes, a committee member of the Edinburgh Diving Club which supports young people in keeping fit and healthy.
Donald is responsible for fundraising and acts as a chaperone giving up weekends to take the clubs members to competitions across the UK.
Broad smiles from Donald as he gets his "enjoy it" pep talk from the torch security team.
1000: He hands the torch on to Derek Wilcox who coaches young people at Gateshead Harriers.
1005: A team now running with the torch. They include National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs vice chair Claire Worden and Fencil Modeste, who raises funds for a childrens hospice which gives his family respite care by looking after his disabled son three times a year.
Skipping along from some of the team, and huge smiles from them as they each take a turn with the torch.
1012: And they all jump together at the end - one, two, three, huup.
Do teams of runners have more fun with the torch? Maybe, but Malcolm Glass, taking the torch here, looks equally thrilled to run.
1013: Mal Glass has been motivating his colleagues by organising an Olympic pedometer challenge - in which progress is plotted on a map in the staff canteen - and running an evening Ju Jitsu class.
1014: The Met Police security team bikers are off ahead of Stephanie Elliott, as the flame is passed on to her in a kiss, in front of the roundabout in Peterlee.
1019: This is George Felton, sports teacher to a legend in the North East - Brendan Foster.
The Olympic bronze medal and Commonwealth and European gold medal-winning distance runner, who founded the Great North Run, said: "George was my PE teacher and he got me started in my running career.
"I wouldn't like to think what I would be doing if it wasn't for him."
1021: BBC Tees reporter Lisa McCormick in Peterlee says hundreds of people are lining the streets. Many are holding blow-up torches, and there are also some home-made torches.
Children from Dene Community School are waving flags, she says.
Torchbearers also received a tuneful welcome as Opera singer Graeme Danby performed with local schoolchildren as the torch relay passed through.
1030: We have lost our pictures at the moment, but hope to bring coverage back as soon as possible.
After Peterlee, the torch is off in convoy to Blackhall Colliery.
A lovely picture for Father's Day, Ben Scott tweeted "Tried on my torchbearer uniform last night ready for Darlington, my daughter was clearly so proud."
1033: We're seeing pictures now of Dene Community School, where the torch has been taking a quick morning break.
1034: Jogging out past big crowds behind the barriers is retired GP and life-long sports enthusiast Masud Rahman, who has run 10 Great North Runs raising money for charity. He was a member of the Pakistan hockey team which won gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
1038: Chants of "Bob, Bob" as Bob Anderson, 63, from Peterlee takes the torch, surrounded by a group of young people who run alongside the relay.
Bob has organised and managed football teams, karate and keep fit clubs for all ages over the last 35 years.
His nomination says: "He has raised thousands for charity over the years and I don't think that you could find someone locally, involved in sport who doesn't know and respect Bob"
1041: Nice shot of a dog with a Union Flag headscarf there. Inspired garb.
We wonder if torchcam's cameraman shares our obsession with dogs who line the torch relay route.
1042: Staff at Northumbrian Water must be like whippets, as Gareth Thraves, from Chester-le-Street apparently encourages everyone to run and is a frequent pace-maker.
The colleague who nominated him says "He just loves running and enjoys the challenge of getting people to exercise and to believe in themselves."
1044: The flame goes back in the bus, bikes strapped to the back of the mini bus and the convoy is now off to Blackhall Colliery.
1047: The first torchbearer on at Blackhall Colliery is Larry Smith, 85. He was nominated by his grandchild who said he "lived through very hard times during the second world war, losing most of his family and having a very hard start in life but is generous to all who meet him".
Despite suffering diabetes, Larry from Pittington, goes to the gym every day and it's paying off as he's off at a good pace, smiling and waving.
He's got a lot of fans here and a home made banner reads "Go Larry"! He's the oldest torchbearer on today's route.
1052: More spectacular home-made torches in the crowd - lovely use of crafty pipe-cleaners there.
1053: Larry passes the flame to Paul Mcardle who has moderate learning disabilities. He joined St Mary's Special Needs Club at the age of seven and has been a member ever since, recently "graduating" to being a helper.
1057: Owen McCabe passes the flame to Sherry McClusky who was nominated by her mother who says she is her "hero" for helping her through depression. Sherry has four sisters and is hoping to be a children's nurse.
She looks nervous taking the flame but then bursts into a lively smile and punches the air.
1100: She passes the flame on to Denise Egan, who's kicking her heels up here.
1103: Graham Firth now holds the torch aloft - he's got a tiny boy trying to keep pace with him as he takes up the torch and runs through the residential streets.
1104: Update, we just found out that 85-year-old Larry Smith who was the first runner here in Blackhall Colliery was a marshal at the 1948 London Olympics!
1104: They're drinking beers on the streets of Blackhall Colliery this morning - well, it is four minutes past opening time!
1106: A bit of a side-to-side stretch there for one of the torch security team - who are running alongside the torchbearers throughout the relay as it heads around the UK.
The flame is in the bus and off to Hartlepool - first spots of rain of the day on the camera as the convoy heads off between the fields.
1110: Standing in the rain here, ready to go, poor soul, is William Jordon.
He's a headteacher at Dyke House Sports and Technology College and due to retire this year. It sounds like some of his pupils have turned out to cheer him on.
Those who nominated him said: "The Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship are the common thread that Mr Jordon has embedded into the heart of our school."
1117: This torchbearer is a fair step from home - she's Justina Till from Cannock in the West Midlands. She's thrilled to be taking part, however, saying "Wow, I can't believe I am actually carrying the Olympic flame in the London 2012 Torch relay, it is a joy to participate in such a prestigious event".
1118: This lady has evidently also come quite far when Sharon Napier, 37, says: "I will be thinking of my despairing PE teachers when I carry the torch through my city with pride!"
1121: Stepping forward to "bully off" with the torch is Dave Miller who has been inspiring people to play hockey in the North East since the 1970s.
His nomination says "barely a hockey player will have come through the junior Durham and North East ranks or through Durham University without having benefited from Dave's coaching, mentoring or stewardship".
1123: With a wave and a smile, and some screams from the ladies in the crowd, Matt Carnelley, 20, is off.
He has used his free time to coach hundreds of children in football in the past few years, while studying for A levels and a degree. He has done this despite the fact that he had meningitis as a baby and has hydrocephalus as a result.
1126: Matt pulls a "lightning Bolt" pose as he hands over the flame to Brian Baines, 42. The Barnardo's project worker was nominated by his mother who says "he goes the extra mile to help people" such as raising over £1,000 for a man who was having to bring up a baby alone having lost his wife and other child in a car crash.
1130: Emma Whitworth takes up the torch now, with a little jog.
The person who nominated her says that 2011 marked the 20th anniversary of when Emma's mum Janice lost her battle against breast cancer.
Since she died, Emma and her family have been raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer - which back in 1991 was a newly established charity and she was the youngest fundraising member.
To mark the anniversary, Emma set herself a '10 for 10 Challenge' - to complete 10 challenge events, including a 22mile trek, mini triathlon and the Great North Run, to reach the £10,000 fundraising mark.
1134: You can see the full length of the torch relay as it crosses this roundabout - all the cars, police bikes, while the sponsors' vehicles are out in front.
1134: You name it Alan Brown has probably organised it!
The 61-year-old Hartlepudlian has run after school clubs for all ages, been a school governor, church warden, appeal co-ordinator and recently secured funding for an allotment so that disabled children could learn to grow plants and vegetables.
And he has enabled a church hall to be used as a community building for Brownies, Guides, art classes, mother and toddlers, archery and yoga classes.
1136: Forge a true path here, Alan!
He's going from side to side in the street as he sees people he knows, waves to them, and rushes over to say "Hello".
1137: Lovely bit of country dancing spinning there as Alan hands the torch over to Lisa Askew.
Lisa was diagnosed with cancer at the very young age of 30, and has been in remission for five years. She was nominated by Butterwick Hospice in Co Durham and Stockton who she has raised thousands of pounds for in return for the treatment she received during her illness.
Look out Alan, Lisa's move is a Riverdance-style grapevine across the road in front of the torch car.
1141: The best pictures of the day's relay are here and will be updated throughout the day.
1143: Fantastic smiles from Serena Hartley, who set up a research programme at North Tees Hospital which involved seeing how exercise impacted on a person with Multiple Sclerosis.
The programme was successful and is still running today at two local hospitals helping many people manage their MS - which is incurable.
1145: Serena gets a friendly nod from Parish Council clerk Bob Bleach next to carry the flame.
1148: Ciao and Andiamo! to the next torchbearer Elena Biglietti from Cusano Milanino in Lombardy, Italy.
1151: Elena passes the flame to Jon Williams who was for many years an international level orienteer, winning a gold medal in the 1983 Continental Cup Relays in France. In 2005, whilst orienteering, Jon suffered a massive stroke, leaving him unable to walk. Despite this, Jon still ensures he can get into the forest and remains an active orienteering club member, coaching and organising others.
1151: So we need to keep an ear out in Hartlepool.
Pat, married to Andrew Frost, tells us on our Facebook page: "Really enjoying the coverage! My husband and the Hartlepool band of bellringers will be ringing at towers throughout the town to welcome the Flame and the whole team!"
1154: Here's Samantha Gould, 12, who was nominated by her school for "living the Olympic and Paralympics values on a daily basis". The multi-talented youngster has represented the school in football, netball, swimming, volleyball, cricket and athletics.
1158: Jamie Poole, 24, is described as a "an inspiration to young and old". A keen athlete and skilful footballer himself, at 19 Jamie gained a coaching qualification and coached children's football - this expanded into all areas of athletics.
1201: Jamie's the last torchbearer before lunch, and will pay a visit to Hartlepool's Maritime Experience where the torch is taking its break today.
The flame is due back on the road at 12:51 BST, and after Hartlepool, heads next to Billingham.
Geoff Speed tweets: "Defy any cynic not to get a bit carried away when you see the torch & crowds in Hartlepool."
If you want to find out how close the torch will come to your frontdoor during the 70 days of the relay, enter either your postcode or name of your town or city in the search box below this live text. Hitting the search button will bring up a list of days when the relay will be close by.
You can watch the torch relay continuous coverage on the red button this afternoon. It's from 1400-1900 on satellite and cable, and 1530-1900 on Freeview.
1245: We're slightly ahead of time as Lauren Richardson carries the flame out of the Maritime Experience. The torch relay crew should have been fed and watered and we've just a short stretch left in Hartlepool before we head to the town of Billingham.
Andrea McCulloch says on Facebook: "I'll be pedalling down on my trike to watch the torch in Newton Aycliffe. A once in a lifetime event and it's in our little town, within half-a-mile of my house. Anyone who isn't excited by the Torch relay is really missing something."
1249
: Jazzing it through the next leg of the relay is 30-year-old Stuart Langley. The graphic designer from Hartlepool says he "strives to make the world a happier place through jazzy design." He is working to create a set of Olympic pin badges.
1253: BBC Tees' Lisa McCormick says she has arrived in Sedgefield and the village green is packed and there are Union Jack flags lining the route.
1253: Next up is local fundraiser Donald Robson who has raised more than £50,000 for his local hospice since 1998. The 76-year-old has been awarded long-service and achievement awards from the hospice. He applied to be a volunteer at the Olympics and says he is very excited about it.
1257: Tackling the last leg of the relay in Hartlepool is Benjamin Cummins. The 35-year-old is a keen rugby player and likes to think of himself as a bit of a clown.
1300: Back on the road now and off to Billingham.
Bill Shannon tweeted: "Saw Paul Collingwood in Durham this morning, well worth getting up for. Everyone in the country must see the flame."
1311: Water baby Sam Dixon is next to take the torch. The 14-year-old from Billingham became Scottish national swimming champion for his impressive butterfly stroke.
Biggest crowd of the day so far and a huge Union Jack flag.
1313: The security team is being made to work a bit harder here keeping the spectators out of Sam's path.
1315: BBC Tees' Mark Drury reports from a bus in the convoy: "The crowds are lining both sides of the dual carriageway, there are kids on shoulders and people climbing up lampposts and trees, this is the biggest crowd so far today by a long way."
1319: Teacher Joanne Johnson takes the torch for the next leg in Billingham. The 38-year-old teaches English to Autistic children and music to those with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Joanne recently cycled coast to coast to raise money for a cancer charity. Her nomination says "she inspires anyone she meets."
Massive smiles from Joanne.
1321: She hands the flame on to Michael Neal.
1323: Group scout leader Michael Neal takes the torch. His nomination said Mike is one of Teesside's "unrecognised and unsung heroes."
1326: Running at quite a pace now is cross country enthusiast Sam Dawson, 12.
1329: Next up is Antony Middleton. His nomination said the 39-year-old has had "a horrible year" spending time in hospital with various infections.
He passes the torch on to Nathan Grayson.
1331: A whole ET-style peloton of young cyclists are out tracking the torch on this part of the route.
1334: This is football youth football club Great Lumley FC's secretary Gary Brown.
He holds his hand aloft as he's cheered loudly by the crowd. And his chaperone breaks into a steady run here.
1337: On to our last bearer in Billingham Chris Kerr, who has Cystic Fibrosis but decided that "nothing was going to get in his way of what he wanted to achieve," his nomination said.
He recently ran the London Marathon raising over £4,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Nice drumming band helping him on his way.
1339: Union flags, England football flags, red white and blue hats and clothes. The Jubilee, Euro 2012 football championships and the Olympics are providing some properly patriotic outfits among the crowd today.
1340: Torch relay stardom has come to Billingham, BBC Tees' Paul Baird reports: "It's like the whole town has come out in Billingham, there are people lined up even in the streets going off from the main route.
"Torchbearers have had to stop for photographs and also to give autographs."
1343: In the relay's next stop, Sedgefield, Chris Lines says he is "welling up over the torch".
He said: "We have such a great community spirit here - the Olympics is happening in London, but in Sedgefield we're really passionate about sport and the torch is going to get a phenomenal welcome when it comes through."
He has organised Sedgefield's own Village Games in honour of the torch's visit.
Hold teary fire Chris, the torch is on its way to you now.
1345: Just a reminder that if you want to watch the torch relay on your TV, coverage is available on the red button from 1400, or from 1530 on Freeview.
1346: Sean Barry, whose daughter Holly will be running with the flame this afternoon tweeted us this picture of torchbearers starting to gather at Darlington.
1353: Monica Hayward poses a question on our facebook page: "I do have to ask though, the convoy went through a number of red lights from Harlepool to Billingham, does it have special dispensation on it's journey to do so?"
Yes it does, Monica. The torch convoy is accompanied by police outriders, who stop the traffic ahead of the buses, cars and vans coming through.
1357: Sedgefield, your torch has arrived.
1358: First up with the torch in Sedgefield is sports-mad Lucy Farrar, 18, from Yarm. She started playing tennis at the tender age of six, and has helped Yarm to win many titles in both regional and national leagues.
A keen volunteer, she won Stockton Sports Young Volunteer of the Year in 2010 and Durham and Cleveland LTA Junior Volunteer of the Year in 2010.
1400: She passes the torch on to Faye Winspear, 23, from Middlesbrough, who has represented her town and county at athletics, while achieving a first class degree in sport and exercise science.
She is described as a regular volunteer at local sports events and has previously worked on a scheme to boost the profile of Athletics within Middlesbrough, by coaching children at our local athletics stadium.
We're told she recently combined her passion for sport and working with children by becoming a qualified PE teacher, starting her first post last September.
The crowds are out here in Sedgefield, but they're pretty quiet so far.
1403: The bunting is still out here, and it's busy in the centre of the town.
No sign of former Prime Minister Tony Blair though, who represented this constituency.
"Can we have a photo?" asks one man, as Faye comes to the end of her run.
1404: Packed streets here and huge whoops now, and a horn blast, as Jessica Foster runs along.
1410: Ann Burrows passes the torch on to local man Ryan Davey, 26, who has suffered with painful psoriasis of the joints from a young age, but at the age of 18 cycled alone for 180 miles from Birmingham to Middlesbrough to raise £2,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis trust, after meeting a young boy who suffered from the condition.
He has become a Police Community Support Officer - a role that he enjoys as feels he is helping the community in which he works.
1414: Ahead of the relay in the next stop, Bishop Auckland, the BBC's Alison Freeman @alisonjfreeman tweets:
Morris Dancers entertain crowds waiting for the torch to arrive in Bishop Auckland #BBCtorchrelay
The torch is off there in convoy mode now.
Alison tweets that there are "thousands" of people out in the town awaiting the torch.
1430: That's all for now from Christine and Claire. Rest assured they will be back! Your writers taking over now and accompanying you through to the end of today's relay are Ian Hughes and Michael Hirst. So it's a goodbye from them, and a hello from us.
1438: Huge crowds in Bishop Auckland, waiting and ready to welcome the first torchbearer there.
Despite losing both legs, one hand and the fingertips on his other to meningitis, we're told Lyndon Longhorne, 16, won't let anything get in the way of his dream to swim for Britain in the 2016 Paralympics Games.
He is part of a World Class Talent Programme, which sees him compete in national and international competitions all over the country. He has recently broken the British record in the 150m individual medley in his classification group. Now aged 16, he has just become one of 11 young ambassadors for The Meningitis Trust.
He is one of BBC Radio Tees' featured athletes as part of Olympic Dreams in the build-up to London 2012.
1441: Here's 13-year-old Kieran Maxwell from Newton Aycliffe, who was diagnosed with a Ewing's Sarcoma in 2010 and has since undergone extensive chemotherapy.
Although this was successful, it cost him his left tibia in which the cancer had damaged the bone and tissue too much to save.
But we're told he has not let that stop him, and pushed himself to get an artificial limb as soon as he was well enough after chemo.
1442: Kieran stumbles to the ground but is quickly helped to his feet by the torch security team and is soon smiling as he carries on along the route. Huge cheers from the crowd for the teeenager.
1445: Just to remind you that you can watch the torch relay continuous coverage on the red button this afternoon. It's from 1400-1900 on satellite and cable and 1530-1900 on Freeview. Check here for more details.
The Member of Parliament for the Bishop Auckland constituency Helen Goodman tweets: "Tension mounting: ten minutes to #Olympic torch and there have never been so many people in the middle of Bishop that anyone can remember!"
1448: Kieran reaches the end of his stint and is warmly applauded by the massive crowd.
1453: The flame is now with 53-year-old Robert Ellis from Spennymoor, a former amateur boxer who on retirement opened his own gym with a vision of taking boxers all over the world to compete in boxing.
Two decades later he has taken young boys from the age of 11 to men aged 30 to countries such as Denmark, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Austrailia and the US.
We're told Robert has changed peoples lives through this amazing sport, broadening their horizons and introducing them to new cultures. He instills discipline and respect from all members with a strict anti-drugs and anti-bullying policy as well as battling against obesity.
1455: What a noise! The beating sticks are out in force in Bishop Auckland, along with whistles, bagpipes and screaming children. One bonus is that at least yesterday's vuvuzelas haven't made an appearance...
What's the collective noun for the sounds accompanying the torch relay - a torchly triumph? a relay racket? an Olympic orchestra? Get in touch with us on twitter (@BBC2012) to let us know your thoughts and we'll publish the best ideas here.
1456: Seems like the whole of Bishop Auckland has turned out to welcome the torch, including the local Air Cadets who are looking very smart in their uniforms.
1458: Thanks for all the messages we've received via twitter and facebook.
Quick shout out to Carole Gibbon who's got in touch from Australia, and Dougal Murphy who's joined us again from LA. Dougal tweets: "Good morning from Los Angeles! Just getting parked in front of #bbctorchcam with a cuppa in my Jubilee mug, feeling awfully English." Great scenes, Dougal - and the weathers slightly more Californian today. Slightly...
Whether you're heading out to see the Olympic flame today, or keeping up with the action from your home/office, keep the messages coming and we'll publish what we can here. Yesterday we heard from a #bbctorchcam fan in the Arctic - this relay's got some reach!
1459: Back in convoy mode for a short drive to Shildon now. Shildon, are you ready?
1502: Here's a tweet from Graham Thompson that I think sums up how we all feel: "Well done Kieran Maxwell what an inspiration! @BBC2012 #bbctorchcam."
1504: Running through Shildon now is primary school teacher Helen Maddison from Darlington, who organises many after-school clubs, including a netball club, gymnastics club, science and Spanish club.
Helen has been to Lourdes with the Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust for the past six years and we're told she has played an important part in raising money to fund the handicapped children's plane tickets.
1506: Here's the first crack at nailing the collective noun for crowd noise, tweeted by Dougal Murphy: "@BBC2012 Collective noun for the Torch Relay crowd noise - it's a Flaming Fracas!"
1507: The next torchbearer is Kevin Shaich, 46, from Livingston. He is treasurer, company director and weekly volunteer for the charity Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled.
Kevin spends between two hours and two days every week volunteering - organising events such as horse shows, jumble sales and car boot sales.
1513: Taking the flame from Daniel Hall is John McGuckin, 69, a member of the meltone singers in Darlington, who sing to all stratas of the local community.
John spent 30 years in the Durham county fire brigade, and is now chair of Heighington parish council.
He was involved with the local scout group, and we're told he trained to be a priest for 4 years with the Mill Hill missionary society. Who knows what might have been had he been ordained?!
1516: Taking the flame now is Les Wadey, 69, from Billingham, who has given up his time for 25 years to support his local school.
He chaired school's HSA committee for a number of years, raising funds and organising events to support and promote the school. He then joined the governing body, where he has undertaken a number of roles and is now chairman.
Les chaired the committee responsible for overseeing the creation of a new "Sports Drome" facility and ensuring that the school could meet the £100,000 it was required to contribute. The Sports Drome provides sports facilities for the school and local community.
A keen runner, Les has supported the Rainbow trust charity for many years and has completed 10 Great North Runs, raising more than £5,000 for the charity.
1521: We have lost our pictures at the moment, but hope to bring back coverage as soon as possible.
Next stop on today's route is Middridge.
1524: Some cracking images of the day's relay can be found here. It will be updated throughout the day.
1533: Pictures are back!
1535: Sam Hollis comes to the end of his stint and the flame goes back into the lantern. The convoy sets off for Newton Aycliffe.
1540: The first torchbearer in Newton Aycliffe will be 80-year-old Pauline Nichol from Stockton-on-Tees.
1541: If you're thinking about heading out to say hello to the Olympic flame, you can find out how close the torch will come to your front door during the 70 days of the relay by entering your postcode or the name of your town or city in the search box below this live text box.
Hitting the search button will bring up a list of days when the relay will be close by.
1542: Hello Newton Aycliffe - and the suitably named Burn Lane.
Here's Pauline, being pushed along in her wheelchair by her chaperone, carrying the torch in one hand and waving to the crowd with the other.
Pauline started a bereavement support group when she lost her daughter to cancer, aiming to provide a regular meeting place where people in a similar position could meet others who cared, who knew how they felt and who were prepared to listen and offer support and friendship.
Her hope is that the publicity gained from running with the torch might spur others to do the same, resulting in the creation of a group in every town in the UK.
1546: Camera phones aplenty in Newton Aycliffe as Pauline gets 'papped' more times during her stint than a Hollywood A-lister would on the red carpet. Too right!
1548: Setting off at a decent pace is Pip Stone, 14, from Middlesbrough. She has been training as an endurance runner for the last four years, having been a regular at the local stadium watching her sisters train when she was just six months old!
She completed her first Junior great North run at the age of three and has been doing it ever since, joining her local running club at the age of seven.
Pip is her school sports captain and county 1500m girls champion, and has been selected for the Future champions local Olympic legacy programe.
1550: Thanks for all your thoughts on the collective noun for the noise accompanying the torch relay. We've received some cracking descriptions, including:
"A roaring pride", suggested by Jude Puggmur
"A flaming fracas", proposed by Dougal Murphy
Keep them coming!
1552: BBC Tees' Mark Drury in Newton Aycliffe says: "The crowds are jumping up and down, they're so delighted to see the torchbearers. The best bit is when someone sees their partner in the crowd and they run over and get a big kiss."
1553: Receiving his torch 'kiss' now is Dan Stubbings, who has cerebral palsy but is passionate about all sport despite the physical barriers.
He has followed an education in Sports Coaching (BSc Hons) and gives up his time to coach others, in particular disabled people. Dan has been recognised for his determination, winning the Princess Diana Award.
1558: Self-confessed "Northerner-gone-south" Rera is remembering her roots as she tweets: "Olympic torch going through my hometown, so strange watching the streets I know so well on TV!"
1559: Sophie Hughes (no relation of your writing team!) whizzes through her leg of the relay and passes the flame on to Kay Stokes.
The 53-year-old is described as having been instrumental in the development of triathlon in the region, and is an active volunteer and coach.
She runs the Cleveland Triathlon Club junior academy, coaching the children and as organising annual training camps, social outings and workshops. Kay also takes an adult coaching group, encouraging a British Triathlon Disabled squad member to take up the sport. She helped found a women and girls Try-a-Tri campaign in 2008 alongside the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation.
She helped deliver the Corus Kids of Steel initiative on Teesside, aimed at encouraging children of all backgrounds to participate in triathlon. She organised in its entirety, the Stockton Schools Triathlon race aimed at secondary school children.
1604: Farewell to Newton Aycliffe as the flame heads, via the convoy, to Darlington.
1611: Having arrived at High Beaumont Hill, the flame is transferred to the torch carried by Nicola Pearson. She regularly volunteers at the Albert Park Run, ensuring that more than 100 runners per week enjoy a free, fun and timed 5K run.
1613: Nicola stops off for a cheeky peck on the cheek with someone in the crowd. Then it's back to the standard wave before Nicola mixes things up again with some mid-height high fives with spectators. Interactive!
1613: "Oggy oggy oggy.. oi oi oi" shouts the crows as Callum Rock, 18, takes over the flame.
Callum fell 70ft from a rock face last August and was not expected to survive. He was transferred by helicopter to James Cook University Hospital where his parents were told to prepare for the worst. He suffered massive head trauma, contracted phenomena and meningitis. He severed his right arm and doctors thought he would also lose his right eye.
Despite all the doctors telling his family he would not breathe on his own, be able to walk, feed or dress himself - and that he would need the next two years in hospital, he is now living back home and is preparing to return to college to study for an A level in Physics and Chemistry.
1618: Lots of cheers for Mohammed Naeem on his leg. He hands over to Rebecca Webster.
The 14-year-old had childhood Leukemia but now enjoys a very active sports life, playing tennis as well as being a keen golfer.
She aspires to to take part in the Olympics playing badminton or golf.
1625: Jogging along now is Andrew Woodward. He is pointed in the right direction by the security team when he seems a little lost a for a second. No drama, he safely negotaites the route and hands over to David Sudron.
1628: A brass band plays the Chariots Of Fire theme tune. That melody is getting some serious airplay this week! It must be responsible for at least 1,000 recent ear worms.
1629: Next up is Adele Waterfall-brown, who has, despite a visual impairment, volunteered her time to the ASA's mygames 'Young Disabled Volunteers Back Swimming' programme - helping young disabled volunteers prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic trials.
Her greatest achievement is described as volunteering at the International Disability Championships in Sheffield. She joined her local masters swimming club where she regularly trains and is currently on a course to enable her to become an aquatic teacher.
1635: Happy father's day to all dads out there, including the next torchbearer Ben Scott, who tweeted us a picture of himself trying on his uniform and getting a kiss from his daughter (see 1033 entry).
Ben is described as a real inspiration to those around him. He is passionate about sport and encourages his three children to take part.
1638: Local lad Thomas Denham, 20, is an Olympic hopeful and five-time British champion at wrestling - do not try to take the torch from him!
1641: Car horns just aren't what they used to be, it seems to me. Plenty of toots accompanying Peter Jack on his stint but they're of the monotone sort. No 'Dukes of Hazzard' horns anywhere. Might be a good thing, come to think of it.
1643: Here's Paul Donaghy, who is a School Sports Coordinator in Durham City, and spends much of his spare time working with young people promoting the values of the Olympics in diverse sports such as Aussie Rules Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball and Underwater Hockey.
As a Level 2 Athletics coach he has also coached pupils at county level and this year trained 3 students to the National Sports Hall Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Paul has won medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays at local, regional, national and international level as a Veteran Athlete, and holds the Guinness World Record for fastest 100m dressed as a pantomime horse (in 13.23 secs)!
Paul suffers from Crohns Disease, and is recovering from his second major operation in the last year to remove some of his bowel and had a kidney removed because of a cancerous tumour, but we're told he will not allow it to interfere with his life.
1646: Paul and Richie Howe jump up and bounce off each other just before they kiss torches. Richie recently completed a sponsored swim to raise money for Diabetes UK.
1650: The 100th torchbearer of the day is Holly Barry.
The 17-year-old didn't develop any speech or social skills as she was growing up and was diagnosed at the age of five with pervasive developmental disorder (PPD) and semantic and pragmatic language disorder.
After 11 years of therapy and progammes she is now able to fit in and lead a normal life.
1654: Walking with the aid of a stick here is Charlie Donaghy, who is described as a revered figure within the north-east sporting community: 2012 will mark his 55th year of participation in sport in the region, which began by coaching tennis at a youth club in the 1950s.
One of his greatest achievements was the introducing basketball to County Durham - founding a league in 1960 then serving as league secretary for 25 years. He is a key cog in the local sporting scene, having played up to county level in leagues including table tennis, tennis, pool, billiards, snooker, basketball and cricket.
Currently he administers the record keeping for over 40 local leagues in traditional British sports such as bowls and quiots. For 38 years he was a teacher at Wolsingham School then served as chairman of governors. He is a Governor at Tow Law Primary, where his wife Alice volunteered for many years. When Alice sadly passed away in 2009, he raised over £3,000 in her memory to provide an adventure trail for the pupils.
1705: Charlie crosses the finish line and salutes the crowd by raising his walking stick. Nice job, sir.
1706: The relay's time in Darlington comes to an end now as the flame will travel in the van to Stockton-On-Tees. Now is a good time to refuel - my colleague Michael tells me he is going to chomp down on some serious tucker that will see him through to the cliimax of the US Open golf at about 03:00 BST on Monday.
1708: Scheduled time of arrival in Stockton-On-Tees is 1730.
1715: Sam Tuckett tweets: "I put @bbc2012 #bbctorchcam on while I'm trying to revise, it's unbelievably addictive, not getting much work done!"
The relay is on a short break just before the convoy heads to Stockton-On-Tees, so you can hit the books for a bit, Sam.
1725: Earlier today, Kieran Maxwell typified the Olympic spirit when he stumbled during his stint of the relay but was soon up again, with the help of the torch security team, to carry on with a smile on his face - and was cheered all the way by the crowd.
The 13-year-old, from Newton Aycliffe, underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in 2010 and lost part of his left leg.
1731: First up in Stockton-On-Tees is Paddy Cronesberry.
Paddy was born with one arm and no legs and was not expected to live beyond childhood, but despite his disability he has worked all his life to support his wife and family.
His nominator says Paddy has raised tens of thousands of pounds to help disabled football fans support their local club and took a group of local disabled supporters to Eastern Europe to watch Middlesbrough in the Uefa Cup.
1738: Cheers of "Paddy, Paddy, Paddy, Paddy..." ring out from the huge crowd as he reaches the end of his stint.
He passes the flame on to Clem Laidler, a swimming coach who has worked as a volunteer for many years helping to improve the swimming of hundreds of children in the local area.
1743: Jake McGee passes the flame on to Jonathan Tait. They're setting a cracking pace in Stockton-On-Tees.
Jonathan is a teacher and sports coach, who has developed a unique link with a summer camp in America to send 16-year-olds over to New Hampshire to coach sport for a month every summer.
He is also head coach of the most successful youth American Football team in the UK. His Woodham Warriors have been British Champions on numerous occasions.
1746: Kicking off his stint by delivering a high kick is James Hobley. He was diagnosed with autism at four-years-old and had problems with his legs as he tiptoe walked as a toddler. He had to wear braces on both legs and special orthopaedic boots because the tendons up the back of his legs were tight.
But he made a recovery and discovered dancing, and has won a full scholarship to the Hammond Dance School in Chester.
James adds split jumps to his earlier high kick to complete a snazzy little torchbearer routine!
1752: Now running with the flame is Michelle Brown, the manager of a domestic violence charity in central middlesbrough called My Sister's Place. The charity helps over 600 women a year who are victims of domestic violence.
1756: Sarah Steel enjoyed James Hobley's efforts. She tweets: "Watching the Torch relay on the Red Button with the "real life Billy Elliott" pirouetting his way thru Stockton with the Torch. Brilliant!!"
1758: Knock knock. Who's next? It's Christine Knock, a primary teacher who is "passionate about raising the aspirations of the children I teach in Middlesbrough".
1803: The Olympics seems to be giving art a boost, too.
Nina Byrne at MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art - in Centre Square - which is where the flame is ending today) tells us they've had a 50% increase in people coming into the gallery and looking at the art today.
"It's lovely to see such a strong community spirit," she said.
1807: Taking the flame now is Pete Nicolson, who is administrator and chairman of two national governing bodies of sport - Tennis Scotland and Weightlifting Scotland.
As Chair of the Waverley Junior Open Tennis Tournament, he plays an instrumental role in the competition that has launched the international careers of Elena Baltacha, Jamie Baker and Andy Murray.
1810: Looking relaxed and at ease is Rick Betts, one of the youth coaches with Middlesbrough (Mandale) Athletics Club.
Rick is described as having spent years coaching, training and, ultimately, inspiring generations of teenagers giving them focus, self-discipline, goals and ambitions - some from among the most disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
1815: Rick was the last torchberear in Stockton-On-Tess. Time now for the flame to be driven to Middlesbrough.
1825: Middlesbrough welcomes the flame to cheers.
The first torchbearer here is Katy Demoily. She has Downs Syndrome but her nominator says "it doesn't stop her having a go at anything she wants".
That statement is very much backed up by Katy's performances at the Special Olympics, where she has won 15 golds, 12 silvers and several bronze medals.
1829: Anita Waters accepts the flame from Katy and begins her leg of the relay.
Spritely 72-year-old Anita has run a gymnastics club for 35 years, and we're told she has helped children from a young age to be dedicated and strive to do their best in all areas of their lives.
1839: Now we go from the experienced gymnast to the up-and-coming in Gaius Thompson.
The 15-year-old Olympic hopeful won at his first ever international competiton for GB in Hungary and has a promising future. Keep an eye out for this young man.
1842: Nurse Jo Chubb completed a marathon "walking in my bra overnight through the streets of London". She has adhered to the dress code today and gone for the all-white torchbearer's uniform. Excellent choice.
1847: Down the home straight it's Chloe Meehan, the final torchbearer of the day.
Chole is a Gold Young Ambassador and has represented Middlesbrough in a variety of ways. We're told she has supported local primary schools, helped with voluntarily organising, leading and has also supported numerous classes and festivals.
1850: "I have enjoyed #bbctorchcam on BBC Red Button to Middlesbrough #torchrelay @TorchOnRed @BBC2012", tweets Map Heaven.
We are very pleased to hear that.
As the torch makes its way into Centre Square for the evening's festivities, on behalf of Michael and Ian (and Christine and Claire from earlier today), many thanks for all your tweets, facebook comments, pictures and your company throughout today.
Let's do it all again soon. Tomorrow?
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