EXCITEMENT is building within St Albans as the countdown begins to the appearance of the Olympic flame, recently lit in Greece and about to be carried by 8,000 torchbearers on a 70-day relay starting this weekend.

London 2012 ambassador David Beckham will bring the flame back to the UK after attending the Olympic flame handover ceremony today, May 17, in Athens.

From Saturday, May 19, torchbearers will begin carrying the flame to within an hour of 95 per cent of people in the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey. The torch will shine in St Albans as it is carried through the city by 11 people from 4.06pm on Sunday, July 8.

Just 19 days later it will travel down the River Thames as it makes its way to the Olympic Stadium, for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

The executive leader of St Albans district council, Cllr Julian Daly, said: “There is a build up of excitement and local clubs and businesses are coordinating activities around the theme of the Olympic torch as it goes through the city.”

He said details of local celebrations will be released closer to the time.