Truro gets ready to welcome the Olympic Torch

A packed programme of events is being planned for Saturday, 19 May, when the iconic Olympic Torch visits Truro as part of its journey through the South West.

Sports clubs and future talent will have the chance to take in part of the torch's route during the Celebration of Sport Parade.

Around 400 people are expected to take part in the parade, which starts at the top of Lemon Street and continues onto Boscawen Street, Princes Street and Green Street, finishing up on Lemon Quay.

The Olympic Flame itself is due to reach Truro around 12.25, and Cornwall Council is offering free parking at its car parks, including New County Hall, throughout the day.

During the afternoon, Lemon Quay will be transformed into a Sporting Carnival, with facepainting, stiltwalkers, circus skills workshops from Circus Into Schools.

There will also be storytelling from Cornwall-based theatre company Scary Little Girls.

Truro Cathedral will be celebrating the historic day with its first ever full peal of 12 bells at 3pm.

The four new bells were installed last year as part of the centenary celebrations of the installation of the original bells in 1910. This is Cornwall's only ring of twelve.

Roger Gazzard, town clerk for Truro City Council, said: "This is an historic moment for Truro and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic Flame being carried through our city's streets.

"We wanted to offer a full day's programme of events for residents and visitors to enjoy. With free parking available, we're expecting it to be a busy day of celebration."

A printed guide to the best bits of the festivities in Truro has been produced, available from Truro Tourist Information Centre, and further details are available at www.enjoytruro.co.uk/olympictorchrelay.

To get involved with the Celebration of Sport Parade, contact Becky Lush, becky@eventcornwall.co.uk, 01872 888089.

Timetable of events:

10.30am: Road closures come into operation within Truro City Centre.

10.55am: Celebration of Sport Parade begins

11.30am: Celebration of Sport Parade ends

12.15pm: Activation convoy for Olympic Torch begins – vehicles starts to enter the city centre.

12.25pm: Olympic Torch enters Truro from Falmouth Road onto Lemon Street

12.41pm: Olympic Torch leaves Truro via New Bridge Street, Trafalgar Roundabout and Tregolls Road.

1pm: Road closures cease, community events begin on Lemon Quay

5pm: Truro event close