Olympic torch comes to SW London (From Wandsworth Guardian)

7:30pm

And in my final act today - after 13 hours of live blogging or something silly - it's a summary of events in Wandsworth, the final leg of today's relay.

See you in the morning!

http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/olympics/latest/9832989.Olympic_flame_shines_in_Wandsworth_relay/

7:26pm

Apparently, this is Rizzle Kicks, but Alex Rucki wasn't very near the front - bit of a battle!

7:24pm

Well, have a picture of Tim Henman by way of recompense for now...

7:23pm

Apparently it's all over in Wandsworth - is that right?

7:04pm

Tim Henman arriving at the Wandsworth event with the Olympic flame...

7:00pm

Alex Rucki has sent across this picture of the moment Tim Henman lit the flame in Wandsworth - caught on the big screen...

6:58pm

Here's Lauren Sullivan on her leg through Carshalton...

6:57pm

Here's John Dawson, enjoying his run.

6:55pm

Another picture from earlier - a lovely shot of Sue Barker during her relay leg in Merton.

6:53pm

Tim Henman is now lighting the flame in Wandsworth - thousands there - including our reporters! Even after bike crashes, battery failures, we've got to the end of the day.

And it all begins again tomorrow...

6:51pm

Well, what a shame, Jeffrey Gordon, Dominic Dalton, Russell Smith and a few more people were not covered by the live BBC torch cam. It lost the feed.

However, Jeffrey, of course, is one of only 18 people to have completed every single Londond Marathon. That's 31. That's a lorra lorra miles, as Cilla Black might say.

Sorry, it's been a long day.

6:48pm

People are up at the Olympic Park this evening as I understand it for an opening ceremony rehearsal.

Anyone heading up there?

6:41pm

6:35pm

Jamie Henderson: "There is a carnival atmosphere in Upper Tooting Road with claxons and horns.

"There must be several thousand people lining the street and cheering. Behind the cars there are several hundred cyclists."

6:34pm

A much better headline on this round-up from Sutton by Matt Watts:

Life Centre and Carshalton sizzle in torch relay sun

Could have got a flame reference in there but you can't have it all...

6:30pm

As if to show how he was injured - Jamie Henderson has filed this picture from Tooting, called 'the Tooting Tour de France'...

6:25pm

London Youth Games competitor James Bates now has the torch...

6:22pm

As an aside, our Wandsworth reporter Jamie Henderson actually put himself at risk today to bring you this fabulous coverage of the torch relay.

He was knocked off his bike en route to Wandsworth and suffered a nasty scratch on his back.

Jamie, we salute you.

6:20pm

Local fundraiser Michael Borello has now taken up the mantle...

6:17pm

Peter Crammer is handing over the torch. Next up is former England Cadet Squad volleyball champion Jordan Dalrymple...

6:15pm

Here's a round-up from Nick Hitchens, who was in Croydon this morning, and you have to love the headline:

Olympic flame accompanied by screams of joy

6:14pm

6:14pm

Alex Rucki: "Garratt Lane is closed now and people are cheering it appears to be on its way. Police are chatting with spectators about what will happen, it's a really friendly atmosphere."

6:12pm

Here's a story from Sophia Sleigh, who was on the Croydon/Sutton border this afternoon. Were you there?

http://bit.ly/QfB05T

6:09pm

The crowd is huge in Garratt Lane...

6:08pm

16-year-old Tim Livingston - the 2010 London Youth Games 800m champion - is making light work of his short distance! Savour it Tim, you can't break any records here!

6:07pm

As the torch makes its way up Garratt Lane, Adriano Ingegneri, 45, and family are waiting!

6:03pm

6:03pm

Melanie has MS but was also "chuffed to bits" to be carrying the torch today. Enjoy it Melanie!

6:01pm

Deborah has passed the torch on to her fellow British Airways colleague Melanie da Silva...

6:00pm

Deborah Collier, nominated by British Airways, said she was "chuffed to bits" to be carrying the torch.

There looked a bit of a cuffuffle there as someone tried to get involved but security acted swiftly and Deborah can carry on just fine.

5:57pm

A pic from earlier, in merton, where Jennifer Roetheli - from Switzerland - watch the torch pass with friends.

She said: "It was good. The weather was beautiful and there were many people."

5:55pm

Back in Wandsworth, Holly Holmes has taken possession of the Olympic flame.

5:55pm

Meanwhile, here's a story from the Sutton Guardian on the huge crowds which turned out in the town centre today - estimated around 50,000-strong!

http://bit.ly/NGJ6Qp

5:53pm

Alice Blackburn-Maze now has the torch. Good luck Alice!

5:52pm

On the ground, Alex Rucki has caught up with Lydia Johnson and Apphia Mwaipyana, from Battersea, who said they wanted to be part of the experience and have been waiting for an hour.

5:50pm

Ilburt Ankumu is now carrying the torch.

He is set to pass the flame to Alice Blackburn-Maze, who I mentioned earlier.

The 12-year-old, pictured here with dad William, was picked to carry the torch for her enthusiasm for sports and for acting as a role model to her peers.

She said: "I'm most excited about the atmosphere, and all the spectators."

5:46pm

5:45pm

Dance teacher Hayley Rea has now taken on the torch relay.

5:42pm

For all you football fans - here's Michael Owen with the Olympic torch. He was at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home - which he is a big supporter of.

5:41pm

A team from StreetGames has now taken over in the relay.

Among the group are Linda Strachan, a former Olympian who has managed to develop the Newham Sports Fencing team from a grassroots session into elite competitions. 

Norman Turner is a founding chair of StreetGames. He has been with StreetGames for four years after a lifetime of service to public leisure. He was the Chief Leisure Officer in Newham and the coordinator of the Borough Olympic programmes.

And Abul Hussain was nominated to carry the torch for his contribution to increasing sports opportunities for hard to reach groups.

5:38pm

As Nick Craggs takes on the flame, Jamie Henderson files from Southfields:

"Every single yard of the pavement is packed as the relay reaches Southfields.

"Children are screaming in anticipation as it slowly makes its way down Wimbledon Park Road."

5:36pm

Rachael Marsh, 38, is founder of Wandsworth charity Ickle Pickles which raises money for neo-natal care.

She is carrying the torch now...

5:34pm

Tim Lovejoy is also among those waiting for the torch in Wandsworth...

5:33pm

Jamie Henderson has sent in this picture of Southfields Churches who are out on the street to welcome the Olympic flame to Wandsworth.

5:31pm

Susan will carry the torch into Wandsworth, where we have Jamie Henderson and Alex Rucki waiting...

5:30pm

Susan Williams lost her son died suddenly at the age of 16.

He came home from a kick boxing session in 2005 complaining of a racing heart.

She now campaigns for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, which offers screening, research and support into the untimely deaths.

5:29pm

Estimates saying between 45,000 and 50,000 were on the streets of Sutton today. Can you believe that?

5:28pm

Wandsworth reporter Alex Rucki is in Tooting High Street - lots of people there for the torch to pass.

5:27pm

The torch is about to make the journey into Wandsworth... Who's in Wandsworth and very excited? Use #wandsworthtorch

5:26pm

5:17pm

And here's a recap of Lisa Snowdon on her leg... Or legs. Sorry, that was terrible.

5:15pm

While Wimbledon soaks up the atmosphere, I'll take you back to Merton High Street, where Beth Carton, five, and sister Eva, three, saw the torch pass by.

Their mother, Caoimhe, said: “It's special. It's part of history. It's good for the kids because they learn about it at school.”

5:12pm

Yep, as I speak, Andy Murray is showing off the torch on Centre Court.

Well, at least he can't lose this time... Sorry, was that too harsh?

5:12pm

We understand Venus Williams and Andy Murray are at Wimbledon, preparing. Tim Henman also features later, to make it a grand slam of tennis heroes this evening!

5:10pm

The torch has now arrived at the All-England Club. Omar Oakes is up there, battling to get in. His name is down, they just can't find it...

5:10pm

Wandsworth reporter Jamie Henderson took this shot in Wimbledon...

5:05pm

Yep, here's Lisa...

5:04pm

Dave Berry is a DJ and will pass the torch on - we think - to his on-air partner in crime, Lisa Snowdon.

Here they are from earlier:

5:03pm

Here's Jennifer, who is passing the torch on to DJ Dave Berry... Well done Jennifer, you didn't drop it!

5:00pm

Jennifer Deeney now has the flame.

Jennifer is Matron for the Neonatal Unit at The Royal London NHS Trust responsible for the care of both premature and sick babies.

On May 8, 2004, Jennifer married her soulmate Kieron but tragically, just 13 weeks later, he was killed after an accident at work.

She was nominated for her campaigning work in the construction industry.

She said: “I wanted to turn something very negative into something positive.

“I am really excited. I can’t belive it has come around already. I don’t want to be the first one who drops it.”

Come on Jennifer, you can do it, hang on to that torch!

4:59pm

Dominic Smith, who lives in Wandsworth and was nominated for his charity fundraising work, has handed the torch on.

4:51pm

Meanwhile, in Wandsworth, Melanie da Silva and Deborah Collier are gearing up to hit the road...

4:50pm

Adam Street now has the torch in Merton.

Adam is a transport expert and is passionate about the field.

4:46pm

The torch has now passed to Edson Alfonso... 

4:39pm

Toki Macleod, 44, from Wimbledon, has watched the torch pass through Merton.

She said: "It will be a once in a lifetime experience for the children. It's never going to happen in London again in while we are alive. And the weather has just made the day.

"The kids are very excited and the general atmosphere is great."

4:37pm

meanwhile, in Wandsworth, Alice Blackburn-Maze,12, with her dad William before setting off.

"I'm most excited about the atmosphere, and all the spectators," she said.

4:33pm

Susan Grace, who is from New Zealand but lives in Rotherhithe, has now taken over in the relay.

She said: "I’m very excited and honoured to have been given this opportunity."

She was nominated for her work volunteering at a homeless centre.

4:28pm

4:28pm

4:26pm

Sergey Bubka - for those who don't know - is an Olympic legend.

The first pole vaulter to clear a height of 20 feet, he is also the only man to have won six consecutive World Championship golds - he was world champion for 16 years.

4:23pm

Martyn Rooney had some fun about former coach Mike Fleet carrying the torch in Croydon earlier:

4:13pm

Is everyone in Merton excited about Olympic legend, proper legend, Sergey Bubka carrying the torch?

4:12pm

Shaun White, who lives in Croydon, has handed over to Gabriella Roseje, who works for children’s charity Wooden Spoon, where she helps young people realise their potential by showcasing her own achievement as an example. 

Gabby's ethic is to be the best she can be whilst helping others to do the same. She 'Stands Out' of the crowd for the commitment she shows, and for her 'Stand Out' and be counted attitude to life.

4:11pm

Just a quick flash back - here's a cracking picture of Sir Patrick Stewart carrying the torch in Croydon.

4:09pm

Omar Oakes watched Sue Barker complete her leg of the Olympic torch relay...

"A scorchingly hot day on Imperial Fields as Sue Barker carried The Olympic torch into Mitcham.

"Barker said she felt like she had run "for several miles" as she paraded the torch at the home of Tooting and Mitcham United FC.

"Once inside the Bishopsford Road stadium she paraded the torch to cheering fans as the temperate reached 30 degrees.

"The club's owner, Steve Adkins, said he was immensely proud for TMUFC to be a part of today's parade."

4:07pm

Huizhen 'Daisy' Chen, who lives in Hackbridge, has taken up the torch.

She was nominated for her work with the BioRegional environmental charity that developed the sustainability strategy ‘Towards a One Planet Olympics’.

4:05pm

Here's Jason Arday, very proud before his run...

4:04pm

Jason Arday, who lives in South Croydon, is running along London Rd from Mitcham Park to Broadway Gardens.

Nominated by various people for his fundraising efforts over nine years for 40 charities nationwide, including Shelter and Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice, he raises money by running ultramarathons.

In August he’s moving to Liverpool to lecture at John Moores University.

Running the relay is a "big deal" for him and he is "humbled" by the nomination.

"There are lots of people who have worked to raise money for our charities nationwide, I feel lucky to have been chosen," he said.

4:02pm

Here's a cracking picture from Alex Rucki in Tooting. This pearly king certainly won't have any trouble finding out where the torch is going with his Wandsworth Guardian...

4:01pm

Jason Greenberg, who is a boss of the GB Baseball Programme, is now carrying the torch in Merton.

3:54pm

Wandsworth reporter Alex Rucki is down in Tooting and said there was already a lengthy queue for tonight's evening party...

3:50pm

3:48pm

3:47pm

A picture by Colin Miller of a police officer giving high fives as he made his way through Sutton.

Right, let's have a look at Merton, how are we getting on over there?

3:47pm

3:45pm

Crowds outside The Sutton Arms this afternoon.

I would imagine scenes for my leaving do on Friday will mirror this, if anyone fancies coming along for a drink?

3:42pm

Another interview from Omar Oakes in Merton - Councillor Maxi Martin.

3:40pm

Terrific picture from the Whitgift Foundation this morning at Croydon's Almshouses... Those crowds are just unbelievable - which has been repeated across south London.

3:36pm

3:30pm

Wimbledon Guardian reporter Omar oakes interviewed Siobhain McDonagh ahead of the Olympic torch relay reaching Wimbledon...

3:26pm

BBC star Sue Barker is preparing to take the torch on and she said she was hoping she didn't "drop it or the flame goes out".

The sports presenter and former tennis player said: “I’ve always loved watching the Olympics and now I get to present the. It’s something you dream about. It was a place that was offered to the BBC by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). I was thrilled to get the position.

“I think it's just fantastic that you are entrusted with that flame and the history and everything that goes with the Olympics and are one of the select few chosen to carry it around the country.

“I have always loved the Olympics and I am a massive fan. I'm thrilled that tennis is in the Olympics. I have always been a massive fan of the Olympics and I cannot wait for it to start.

“I hope I don't drop it or the flame goes out. I know they have standbys if that happens.

“It looks as though people have really taken to watching the torch. I am sure there will be a fantastic atmosphere.

“It's a magical moment for everyone in London and the UK. I think Olympic fever will take over in the next few weeks.”

3:20pm

Christopher Noel is now running as the torch reaches Merton... So, we change to #mertontorch on Twitter!

3:17pm

John Dawson is now running... 

Left in a coma for many weeks following a road accident in 2001, he emerged blind and with major nerve and brain damage. He has become a volunteer and trustee of the Sutton Association for the Blind (SAB) and a valued member of the community, actively willing to give his time to the benefit of others.

He is a fundraiser for the blind, completing the London marathon in 2006 and riding a bike to Paris in 2010.

3:16pm

Is this the biggest crowd we've seen today? Thousands leaving the Life Centre area...

3:15pm

The torch may have passed through but Carshalton is still rocking, according to Matt Watts.

"Still some big crowds sticking round in Carshalton for the stalls and entertainment, even though the torch is now well on its way," he said.

3:12pm

Mary Kimble in Sutton... The torch is almost at Rosehill.

3:07pm

"Just got to the Life Centre. Thousands of people lining the streets in Rosehill and We Will Rock You is blaring out. Great atmosphere."

Sutton Guardian reporter Sophia Sleigh is on the scene.

3:00pm

If only the Sutton one-way system were this easy every day...

2:56pm

Here's Lauren Sullivan - one of the Sutton torchbearers - getting underway.

2:14pm

2:10pm

Here are the Sutton times:

2pm - Croydon Road
2.23pm - Acre Lane
2.27pm - High Street
2.29pm - Pound Street
2.34pm - Carshalton Road
2.47pm - Chalk Pit Way
2.49pm - Sutton Court Road
2.50pm - High Street
2.53pm - St Nicholas Road
2.54pm - St Nicholas Way
2.59pm - Crown Road
3pm - High Street
3.05pm - Sutton Common Road
3.12pm - Reigate Avenue
3.20pm - Rosehill

2:09pm

Here's Dean Parsons, loving every minute of his leg!

2:08pm

In Sutton, the anticipation is growing.

So much so that these men have exploded...

2:04pm

Dean Parsons, 38, from Morden, is now running.

For six years he has volunteered at AFC Wimbledon, doing what he canto raise the profile of the club and raise money for charity.

2:03pm

2:01pm

Matt Watts in Carshalton as the torch officially enters the Sutton borough...

"A few spectators are abit peeved the central bridge over carshalton ponds had been closed to the public for safety reasons. Crowds are squeezing in elsewhere as expectation of the torch arriving rises."

1:59pm

John Warr, 47, from Sutton, is now carrying the torch.

John has worked for Thomas Cook for 21 years and in that time has raised in excess of £30,000 for the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity by completing 12 marathons. In 2011, John raised £10,000 by taking part in seven different sporting events, including three marathons, two triathlons and two bike rides.

1:59pm

From Sophia Sleigh in Croydon Road: "A police officer on a motorbike is high-fiving every one along Croydon Road as he travels along. The crowds are all cheering him on."

1:55pm

Dafydd, 29, has campaigned for three years for charity Beating Bowel Cancer after being diagnosed with the disease himself.

Mr Jones, who is originally from north west Wales, uses website eBay to run charity auctions, collecting about £7,000, as well as taking on a number of endurance challenges.

1:52pm

So, who are we looking forward to this afternoon? We have the now-legendary BBC presenter Sue Barker, Andy Murray, Venus Williams is involved and Tim Henman comes into it somewhere!
 

1:48pm

Twinelle Hopeson is preparing to leave St Andrews School with the torch. The 20-year-old said she is not nervous but very excited.

She added:" I want to say a massive thanks to everyone supporting me at West Croydon Methodist Church and my sponsor partnership."

1:45pm

Sutton High Street is getting very busy...

1:42pm

Audrey Bushby is holding a party in her front garden on Croydon Road, between Croydon and Sutton. She has lots of excited guests who will be enjoying cakes and biscuits.

1:41pm

"So busy here in Carshalton police and stewards not allowing further access to some viewing areas."

Matt Watts in Carshalton

1:40pm

Back in Croydon, school children are having their pictures taken with the torches and torchbearers...

1:39pm

Crowds are gathering between Carshalton and Sutton, awaiting the torch relay restart...

1:37pm

So the giant swan is, in fact, a stage...

From Matt Watts: "Carshalton festivities in full swing. Gary Mason drummers have been rocking the crowd on the giant swan stage."

12:58pm

HERE HE IS!

Sir Patrick described the relay as "exhilarating but very intense. It was not what I expected - none of us were."

12:54pm

Patrick Stewart waving as he makes his way through the streets.

Do you have to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy this? I don't think so...

12:52pm

John Uwins, chairman of West Wickham Football and Cricket Club, is HANDING THE TORCH TO SIR PATRICK STEWART!

12:51pm

St Andrew's School ready to see the torch - and SIR PATRICK STEWART!

12:50pm

So, we should have Croydonians John Uwins and Twinelle Hopeson coming up... Then, it's Sir Patrick Stewart himself no less. Excited Number One?  Make it so.

12:48pm

12:45pm

The Smith family have come to Sutton to watch the relay, after it didn't visit their home town of Banbury.

Bronwen Smith, seven, said the torch relay was just the beginning of his Olympic experience as he's off to see the synchronized swimming during the Games.

12:36pm

The torch is coming into North End, Croydon, now, with Daniel Blake carrying the flame...

12:33pm

Abbe Stapleton takes up the torch.

The 36-year-old, from Anerley, has worked with charity the Oasis Foundation for 15 years supporting young homeless in Peckham and Croydon as well as working with Oasis Secondary School, Shirley.

The keen charity worker helped establish a homeless housing project in Thornton Heath.

12:30pm

12:27pm

Torchbearer Mike Fleet - a trainer of Croydon Olympian Martyn Rooney - what a legend.

12:25pm

The start of the procession is just reaching North End. Cheers and screams fill the air.

Hannah Williamson

12:20pm

Elizabeth Mckillop is in London Road with the flame!

12:13pm

Mike Fleet, 74, from Purley, is getting the torch shortly...

Mike represented Great Britain himself in the 60s, making the final of the 1962 Commonwealth Games 800m.

An athletics coach with Croydon Harriers, he trained 400m GB Olympic squad member Martyn Rooney and also coaches athletics at Trinity School, Whitgift School and Croydon High School.

12:11pm

From earlier: Here's a really ice picture of Marlon Devonish carrying the Olympic torch in Crystal Palace...

12:05pm

12:02pm

There are people as far as the eye can see in the town centre. All of croydon have taken advantage of the good weather and have come down to the see the torch. The sound of music, excited chatter, whistles and vuvuelzela fill the air.

Hannah Williamson

11:59am

And this torch fan in Thornton Heath has a novel way of keeping up with the relay!

11:59am

Gerard Masson now has the torch...

11:56am

Gudrun Bennett, 10, Martha, seven and four-year-old Lawrence waiting for the torch in Croydon...

11:53am

11:52am

It's been handed over to Kerry Cunningham. 

Everyone having fun out there?

11:49am

Hockey fan Gareth Jones has now taken over the torch...

11:47am

A car has gone through North End in preparation for the relay passing through...

11:45am

Lisa Bell is off with the torch!

11:43am

Jonathan Dean with the Olympic torch now in Croydon...

11:39am

11:38am

Here's Amy passing the torch on to the next bearer...

11:36am

Amy Terriere carrying the Olympic torch through Croydon. 

Picture from Ellie Davis.

11:35am

Meanwhile, police have seized illegal Olympic flags making their way to Croydon...

http://bit.ly/MDIUnV

11:32am

Meanwhile, at Sutton Life Centre, people are getting into the spirit of things ahead of the torch entering the borough later today.

Our man Matt Watts said: "Excitement is building in Sutton, where the life centre is holding an Olympic themed event for children."

Here Kaitlan Power, six, gets her face painted for the day's festivities.

11:29am

Amy Terriere, 35, from Croydon, is a former England U23s cricket player who has continued to work in the sporting world with the British Olympic Association.

She remains a keen sportswoman and has worked at previous winter and summer Olympics.

11:28am

meanwhile, as the torch makes its way down Church Road, our girl Hannah Williamson is in North End, where she said a huge crowd has gathered in anticipation...

11:27am

Nick Hitchens says there is "pandemonium" as Amy Terriere, from Croydon, gets her hands on the torch.

11:21am

Nick Hitchens in Anerley Hill: "The crowds waiting on Anerley Hill - ten minutes to go and every patch of pavement is covered."

11:20am

Elsewhere, as Kingston prepares to host the Olympic torch tomorrow, it has been revealed the Games will cost the Royal Borough £500,000... http://bit.ly/LIxAFD

11:18am

Mum Ruddy with Xiomara, six, Trinity, three and five-year-old Cassimira.

11:05am

Our man Nick Hitchens is in Church Road, Croydon, where the torch will head after leaving Crystal Palace.

"Crowds already lining Church Road as far through all of Crystal Palace - a lot of anticipation as everyone wants to know when it will arrive," he said.

10:57am

Taking the torch from Marlon will be John Powell from Orpington.

The 53-year-old is a superintendant with the Met, due to retire next year, but is also one of the top sprint coaches in the UK.

He is currently coach to David Bolawinwa, who finished 3rd in the Youth Olympics, and has other successful runners too.

Not only this but he set up MetTrack - a police funded programme to get inner city kids off the street and into athletics, keeping them out of trouble, and turning them into sprint stars of tomorrow.

He remortgaged his house four times in recent years to enable him to travel with and support his athletes.

10:54am

Marlson Devonish has the torch at Crystal Palace...

10:53am

Penny, Tom and Alfie Snell and Liam and Loui Hodges, from Beckenham, bought england flags to welcome the torch.

Angela Lawrence said: "We are very excited its a porud moment and the weather is lovely."

10:50am

Hundreds of families are lining the 100m straight ready for the Olympic Torch arrival, says Croydon reporter Hannah Williamson.

10:08am

Get this - a GIANT swan has landed on Carshalton pond just hours before the Olympic torch relay passes through...

Whatever could it be?

See the picture here

9:49am

Road closures for the Olympic torch relay in Sutton will affect drivers and those using public transport today.

Sutton Council and Transport for London (TfL) have advised members of the public wishing to watch the event to use public transport or walk wherever possible.

Road closures set to be in place from 10am until 8pm:

Throwley Road, Hill Road and St Nicholas Road in Sutton
Honeywood Walk and Church Hill in Carshalton
Parking restrictions will also apply

9:40am

Don't forget, a special disabled viewing area is available in Croydon for the Olympic torch relay. It's at the Central Library, in Katherine Street, CR0 1NX.

9:23am

Right, time for another Olympic torch relay factoid for your delectation...

95% of the UK population will be within ten miles of the Olympic Flame.

Well I never...

9:20am

Has anyone made flags or anything special for the Olympic torch relay? If so, let us know! We want pictures!

9:16am

At the risk of getting ahead of myself, you can find details of the Olympic torch relay in Kingston - which happens tomorrow - here:

http://bit.ly/OiMakR

9:04am

I'm disappointed no one has used my Patrick Stewart pun yet for the Croydon torch relay, so I'm going to use it now:

Phasers set to RUN...

Get it?

Okay, can you do better? Comment below...

8:56am

And, yes, there's more, as well as Andy Murray and Sue Barker being involved in the Wimbledon leg of the relay, VENUS WILLIAMS will also be there!

You can find out more about the Merton leg of the Olympic torch relay here

This just gets better and better...

You can find outmore about the Merton leg of the Olympic torch relay here

8:48am

Yes, it's true... MICHAEL OWEN will carry the Olympic torch in Battersea this afternoon.

http://bit.ly/LIhagD
 

8:29am

Here's a list of the initial torchbearers for Croydon...

10:46 Marlon Devonish
11:16 John Powell
11:24 Anthony Kendall
11:27 Amy Terriere
11:30 Julie Galloway
11:33 Alain Maquet
11:37 Fred Webb
11:39  
11:43 Jonathan Dean
11:45 Lisa Bell
11:48 Gareth Jones
11:52 Kerry Cunningham
11:54 Gérard Masson       
11:57 Molly Ackhurst
12:00 Julene Aguirre Bielschowsky
12:03 Richard Dudley
12:06 Kevin Parke
12:09 Bente Grønning
12:12 Philip Davis
12:15 Elizabeth Mckillop
12:19 Yuk Ling Tsang

8:14am

8:12am

Here's another torch fact for you to enjoy...

The Olympic torch is 800mm (80cm) in height, weighs 1kg and burns for at least 10 minutes. I think that's pretty heavy to carry!

It is approximately 100mm (10cm) wide at the top, and 45mm (4.5cm) wide at the bottom.

7:52am

Meanwhile, Surbiton Hockey Club star Matt Daly is confident the Team GB side can challenge for a medal...

http://bit.ly/OhRu62

7:43am

Sutton is gearing up for it, looking very clean and tidy...

7:20am

Right, I'm off to have a quick look at Sutton High Street - I hope those street cleaners are out - and I need coffee...

Meanwhile, a quick torch fact for you:

There are 8,000 torchbearers as part of the relay. 41% are female, 59% male.

7:14am

For everyone preparing to head to Croydon this morning, you can find the route here in our handy graphic . I'd print it out if I were you...

7:06am

Tweet us pictures, experiences, your excitement and everything else! We are on @LondonersGames  - or simply use #croydontorch, #suttontorch, #mertontorch or #wandsworthtorch to get through and we'll use your tweets in this blog.

7:04am

Good morning! As the Olympic torch starts today in south east London - which you can follow live here - we want your views as the excitement starts to build in south west London.