Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

1. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

15 year old Nirav Patel carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Nirav is a quiet but inspiring young man. As an explorer scout he is a conscientious and committed young leader helping cub scouts between the ages of 8 & 11. He began to learn how to climb as a scout and is now extending his climbing and abseiling skills so he can teach others in the future.

2. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

A small carnival greets the Olympic Flame in Hamstreet

3. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 023 carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

4. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 023 carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

5. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

44 year old Ben Af Forselles carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. In addition to being a excellent husband and father, Ben is a wonderful local sporting hero and eccentric. He has run many marathons and holds two official Guinness World records for fastest marathons in fancy dress, namely Leprechaun and Viking. He ran his Viking record at the London marathon in 2011 to raise funds for a local wild animal park, a cause dear to his heart.

6. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

44 year old Ben Af Forselles carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. In addition to being a excellent husband and father, Ben is a wonderful local sporting hero and eccentric. He has run many marathons and holds two official Guinness World records for fastest marathons in fancy dress, namely Leprechaun and Viking. He ran his Viking record at the London marathon in 2011 to raise funds for a local wild animal park, a cause dear to his heart.

7. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

44 year old Ben Af Forselles carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. In addition to being a excellent husband and father, Ben is a wonderful local sporting hero and eccentric. He has run many marathons and holds two official Guinness World records for fastest marathons in fancy dress, namely Leprechaun and Viking. He ran his Viking record at the London marathon in 2011 to raise funds for a local wild animal park, a cause dear to his heart.

8. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

15 year old Nirav Patel carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Nirav is a quiet but inspiring young man. As an explorer scout he is a conscientious and committed young leader helping cub scouts between the ages of 8 & 11. He began to learn how to climb as a scout and is now extending his climbing and abseiling skills so he can teach others in the future.

9. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 024 Ieva Liepina carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Ieva is women from Latvia whose passion for sports have always set an example for everyone who knows her. Five years ago, Ieva was hit by a lorry while out cycling. She lost her boyfriend and spent 5 months in surgery and rehabilitation aimed at allowing her to learn how to walk again. You can do more than you imagine, she says, but only if you believe in yourself.

10. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 021 Nirav Patel carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Nirav is a quiet but inspiring young man. As an explorer scout he is a conscientious and committed young leader helping cub scouts between the ages of 8 & 11. He began to learn how to climb as a scout and is now extending his climbing and abseiling skills so he can teach others in the future.

11. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Crowds show their support for the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

12. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 024 Ieva Liepina carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Ieva is women from Latvia whose passion for sports have always set an example for everyone who knows her. Five years ago, Ieva was hit by a lorry while out cycling. She lost her boyfriend and spent 5 months in surgery and rehabilitation aimed at allowing her to learn how to walk again. You can do more than you imagine, she says, but only if you believe in yourself.

13. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

44 year old Ben Af Forselles carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. In addition to being a excellent husband and father, Ben is a wonderful local sporting hero and eccentric. He has run many marathons and holds two official Guinness World records for fastest marathons in fancy dress, namely Leprechaun and Viking. He ran his Viking record at the London marathon in 2011 to raise funds for a local wild animal park, a cause dear to his heart.

14. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 024 Ieva Liepina carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Ieva is women from Latvia whose passion for sports have always set an example for everyone who knows her. Five years ago, Ieva was hit by a lorry while out cycling. She lost her boyfriend and spent 5 months in surgery and rehabilitation aimed at allowing her to learn how to walk again. You can do more than you imagine, she says, but only if you believe in yourself.

15. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

44 year old Ben Af Forselles carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. In addition to being a excellent husband and father, Ben is a wonderful local sporting hero and eccentric. He has run many marathons and holds two official Guinness World records for fastest marathons in fancy dress, namely Leprechaun and Viking. He ran his Viking record at the London marathon in 2011 to raise funds for a local wild animal park, a cause dear to his heart.

16. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Crowds show their support for the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

17. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

"The Kiss" as Torchbearer 022 Bernard Af Forselles passes the Olympic Flame to Torchbearer 023 on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

18. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

44 year old Ben Af Forselles carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. In addition to being a excellent husband and father, Ben is a wonderful local sporting hero and eccentric. He has run many marathons and holds two official Guinness World records for fastest marathons in fancy dress, namely Leprechaun and Viking. He ran his Viking record at the London marathon in 2011 to raise funds for a local wild animal park, a cause dear to his heart.

19. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

15 year old Nirav Patel carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Nirav is a quiet but inspiring young man. As an explorer scout he is a conscientious and committed young leader helping cub scouts between the ages of 8 & 11. He began to learn how to climb as a scout and is now extending his climbing and abseiling skills so he can teach others in the future.

20. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Crowds gathered for the Torch Relay between Hamstreet and Ashford.

21. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 024 Ieva Liepina carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Ieva is women from Latvia whose passion for sports have always set an example for everyone who knows her. Five years ago, Ieva was hit by a lorry while out cycling. She lost her boyfriend and spent 5 months in surgery and rehabilitation aimed at allowing her to learn how to walk again. You can do more than you imagine, she says, but only if you believe in yourself.

22. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Lynne Gray carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Lynne has been a dedicated coach to young girls playing netball for over 20 years. She has single handedly set up the Breakaways Junior club and has been a key coach in Ashford Sattelite teams as well as nominating dozens of players to go on and play for their county. In 2009 she won the South East Coach of the Year and was nominated for National Coach of the Year.

23. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torchbearer 036 Birute Statkeviciene carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

24. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Lynne Gray carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Lynne has been a dedicated coach to young girls playing netball for over 20 years. She has single handedly set up the Breakaways Junior club and has been a key coach in Ashford Sattelite teams as well as nominating dozens of players to go on and play for their county. In 2009 she won the South East Coach of the Year and was nominated for National Coach of the Year.

25. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Schoolchildren gathered to show their support for the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Ashford.

26. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Kevin French carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

27. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

"The Kiss" as torchbearer 031 Charles Gambrill passes the Olympic Flame to Torchbearer 032 Aivars Caklis on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

28. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Aivars Caklis jumps the joy, carrying the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Aivars has taught physical education at a rural high school in Latvia for the past 32 years, working with children to inspire them to develop their athletic potential, as well as to embrace the benefits of an active lifestyle.

29. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

13 year old Rosie Jones carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Rosie has a love of sport and has persuaded friends and family to participate in a range of sporting events. She has represented Bexley in the London Youth Games in Hockey for the past 3 years and this year is team captain.

30. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

13 year old Rosie Jones carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Rosie has a love of sport and has persuaded friends and family to participate in a range of sporting events. She has represented Bexley in the London Youth Games in Hockey for the past 3 years and this year is team captain.

31. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Lynne Gray carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Lynne has been a dedicated coach to young girls playing netball for over 20 years. She has single handedly set up the Breakaways Junior club and has been a key coach in Ashford Sattelite teams as well as nominating dozens of players to go on and play for their county. In 2009 she won the South East Coach of the Year and was nominated for National Coach of the Year.

32. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

15 year old Charles Gambrill carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford.

33. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Lynne Oliver carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Lynne inspires everyone to get active - not only does she volunteer promoting running and triathlon committees in Kent, she supports nearly every local race organiser, and runner - be it begginners or marathon runners! She helps to organise fancy dress miles, cycle challenges, and 100 mile challenges all because she can't help herself from supporting good causes.

34. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Daisy Shepherd carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Despite having a busy family life, Daisy works so hard every day to support her colleagues and the people around her and we would like to nominate her for her great passion and drive in ensuring that she always puts others first and sets a great standard to follow.

35. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Schoolchildren show their excitement as they wait for the Olympic Flame

36. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Andrew Sunderland carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Andrews loves Basketball and has been working as a teaching assistant so that he can set up a team and push them to there true potential.

37. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Jonathan Green carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Jon gives hundreds of hours every year to help and inspire others. When he's not at his full-time job at Kent Police, he volunteers at Dover Gym Club where he is Vice Chair, manages their website and publicity and organises fund raisers. He's also on the Kent Gymnastics Association committee, helping to organise competitions, announcing and doing their website.

38. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Luke Quilter carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Luke is currently Kent's young entrepreneur of the year, working hard to help other businesses grow and get other young people in work and active. He approaches everything with passion and commitment.

39. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Local schoolchildren show their support for the Olympic Flame

40. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Rachael Deans carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Rachael is only 18, but already as a young leader she has inspired many young girls through her work with the Ashford Girls Brigade. Rachael has organised activities and games for the girls and through babysitting and looking after them she provides a role model for them to follow. She's becoming a kayak coach and has already taught many young people to paddle their boats!

41. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Graham Cooper carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hamstreet and Ashford. Graham has for the last 5 years produced home cooked food, produce, flowers and plants for sale at the monthly church book sale giving pleasure to many older members who love his cooking and this has raised the money to have 12 new choir robes made for the choir he sings with and with church renovation projects. He also is church photographer and so helps to raise money for the Friends Of The Church funds.

42. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Tina Eke carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Sandgate and Folkestone. Tina has been a member of Folkestone Running Club - and has been chairman (person) for the last 7 years. She has totally dedicated these last seven years to the running of the club giving up almost every Tuesday and Thursday evening (and also now Saturdays) to encourage and support members from the local community.

43. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

13 year old Olivia Willard carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate. At only 13 years old, Olivia is already a veteran at raising money for charity through various sporting activities. Olivia first competed in the race For Life to raise money for Cancer research at the age of 8 and she was so determined that she ran the whole 5K without stopping in a time of 31 minutes. She has never looked back and has been inspired to take part in a further 4 Race for Life's since.

44. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Tina Eke carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Sandgate and Folkestone. Tina has been a member of Folkestone Running Club - and has been chairman (person) for the last 7 years. She has totally dedicated these last seven years to the running of the club giving up almost every Tuesday and Thursday evening (and also now Saturdays) to encourage and support members from the local community.

45. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Graham Cooper carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate.

46. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate.

47. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Olivia Kempsey carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Ashford. Olivia Kempsey carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Ashford. Olivia is raising money for Crohn's and Colitis UK, a charity that improves the lives of people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). After being diagnosed with the condition 4 years ago, her health gradually deteriorated until she was hospitalised earlier this year for sugery. This was a big shock for Olivia however, she is determined to show that nothing should hold you back from achieving what you want to achieve.

48. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Olivia Kempsey carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Ashford. Olivia Kempsey carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Ashford. Olivia is raising money for Crohn's and Colitis UK, a charity that improves the lives of people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). After being diagnosed with the condition 4 years ago, her health gradually deteriorated until she was hospitalised earlier this year for sugery. This was a big shock for Olivia however, she is determined to show that nothing should hold you back from achieving what you want to achieve.

49. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Charlie Warner passes the Olympic Flame to Andrew Sunderland on the Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate.

50. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

The Torch Relay leg between Sandgate and Folkestone.

51. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

79 year old Brenda Cordingley passes the Olympic Flame to Torchbearer 050 on the Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate.

52. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Modestas Paulauskas carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate.

53. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Charlie Warner carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Hythe and Sandgate

54. Olympic Torch Relay - 18th July

Olivia Kempsey carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Ashford. Olivia is raising money for Crohn's and Colitis UK, a charity that improves the lives of people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). After being diagnosed with the condition 4 years ago, her health gradually deteriorated until she was hospitalised earlier this year for sugery. This was a big shock for Olivia however, she is determined to show that nothing should hold you back from achieving what you want to achieve.