In pictures - David Beckham lights the Olympic torch

Olympic torch lighting ceremony in Athens Credit: REUTERS/John Kolesidis

The Olympic torch touched down in Cornwall and was met by a large excited crowd as it begins its final journey to the Olympic Stadium in London.. Princess Anne, the Queen of England's daughter, UK's deputy Prime minister of England, Nigg Clegg and 'Sir' David Beckham welcomed the torch.

 The flame was met in Athens by a group of London 2012 dignitaries including Lord Coe, David Beckham and the Princess Royal as well as London Mayor Boris Johnson. It arrived in a specially chartered flight BA 2012 and landed at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall at 7.30pm.

The torch's journey through UK

 The Torch will begin its 70-day relay across the UK on Saturday starting at Lands End. The route will take it through towns and communities and within 10 miles of 95% of the population before arriving at the Olympic Park for the Opening Ceremony on July 27th.

The Olympic Flame is kindled in Greece at the Temple of Hera at Ancient Olympia. It is created for each Games by focusing sunlight in a parabolic mirror. At this point, it is the only place in the world where the Olympic Flame is alight. It then travels round Greece for seven days before being passed to the UK, where the Relay will start at Land's End.

A typical day for the Torch Relay starts at 7am and finishes at 8pm. The Torch will be carried by an average of 110 Torchbearers a day and will travel for around 100 miles. When not being carried by a Torchbearer, the Torch will travel in convoy mode, on various forms of transport, to cover a larger distance
Over 70 days, Torchbearers will take the Flame across the UK, covering 8,000 miles. For parts of the journey, the Flame will be carried in a vehicle. Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame for approximately 300 metres each, passing the Olympic Flame from torch to torch until it reaches the Olympic Stadium on the eve of 27 July.

Olympic Torch facts and figures

• 8000 inspiring Torchbearers, travelling 8000 miles to opver 1000 communities, villages, towns and cities
• Each day, 110 Torchbearers (on average) will take part and the flame will travel 110 miles (on average) each day
• 300 metres - the average distance each Torchbearer will carry the Olympic Flame
• 150 words were required for each nomination
• 95% of the UK population will be within 10 miles of the flame
• 66 evening celebration towns and cities
• 70 days is the duration of the relay
• 50% of the Torchbearers will be aged between 12 and 24
• 33 London Boroughs through which the Olympic Torch Relay journeys

The London 2012 Olympics torch was lit by the sun's rays in ancient Olympia on Thursday, kicking off a relay that will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic stadium's cauldron during the opening ceremony on July 27.

The London 2012 Olympic Torch Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Olympic torch bearers for the London 2012 Olympic Games, (L-R) Abul Kasam, Dinah Gould, Dominic John MacGowan, Rosy Ryan and Aidan Kirkwood Credit: REUTERS/Luke MacGregor