PLAN for a very early start if you want to be sure of your place along the Olympic Torch route in St Ives and Huntingdon.

Thousands of people are expected to watch the relay, and spectators were advised to find a parking spot as early as possible to avoid disappointment as rolling roadblocks will be in place 30-60 minutes before the torch passes through early on Sunday, July 8.

The route starts in St Ives at 7.50am, with runners taking the torch along Meadow Lane, Cromwell Place, Market Hill, The Pavement, The Broadway and The Waits to Ramsey Road and through to the A1123 Houghton Road, where it will be loaded back on to the convoy.

The torch arrives in Huntingdon at 8.18am and will be taken through the town via Main Street, Desborough Road, Mayfield Road, Hartford Road, Riverside Road, High Street and George Street. The Huntingdon leg ends at the railway station.

As part of the route, the torch stops at Huntingdon Olympic Gym, in Mayfield Road, for 10 minutes where Huntingdonshire District Council executive leader Councillor Jason Ablewhite, chairman Councillor Barbara Boddington, MP Jonathan Djanogly and Huntingdon mayor Colin Hyams will get a chance to hold the torch.

Olympic hopefuls Louis Smith, Dan Keatings and Marissa King will put on a gymnastics display with others from the club.

After the displays the club will be hosting a ‘Five Ring’ breakfast and a family fun day. The gym has arranged to use the adjacent fields for parking.

Adam Scott, one of the club’s coaches, said: “It’s going to be a massive day for the club. It’s not just for the big names, it’s a celebration for all the others involved at the club: the gymnasts, the trainers and those behind the scenes.”

Up to 10,000 visitors are expected in St Ives – and a similar number is expected in Huntingdon – to see the relay, with the town’s sports club members lining the streets.

After the torch passes through, a parade of sports teams will make its way along the route.

St Ives Town Council is also putting on an Olympic Breakfast in the Corn Exchange and hosting a sports event in the field opposite Slepe Hall.

In Huntingdon, there will be Morris dancing in the market square and the RAF voluntary band will also be playing.