It has today been announced that Stockport will be welcoming the Olympic Torch to the borough on Sunday 24 June 2012.

Heaton Chapel, Offerton, Hazel Grove and Heaviley have been named as four of over 1,000 locations announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), through which the Olympic Flame will travel through during the Olympic Torch Relay.

Local communities will be offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join in the celebrations and take part in this momentous occasion.

Councillor Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is brilliant news which will put the international spotlight on Stockport. I’m delighted that local people will have the chance to carry the torch through the borough, and be a part of the celebrations. There are a great number of exceptional people in our borough, and this will give them the opportunity to shine. I would like to invite families, community groups, schools and individuals to get in touch with us with ideas about how we can make this day special for Stockport, and inspire our communities to achieve great things.”

Stockport Metro swimmer and Olympic hopeful James Goddard added: “I’m delighted that Stockport will be welcoming the Olympic Torch to the borough next year. It will be great to see everyone getting involved in the countdown and witness the building anticipation.”

The Olympic Flame will be carried through Stockport by inspirational Torchbearers, each of whom has a story of personal achievement or contribution to their local community. Successful nominees will be contacted in December and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.

The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

For more information, or to suggest ideas for how your local community can get involved in the Torch Relay, visit www.stockport.gov.uk/2012, email 2012@stockport.gov.uk or call 0161 474 2012.

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