Plans are well in hand to accommodate the crowds expected to fill the streets of Ross for the once in a lifetime occasion when the Olympic torch passes through the town.

Local residents will have the opportunity to greet the torch as it wends its way through the town on its way from Greece to London in preparation for the ceremony which marks the start of the London 2012 Olympics which take place this summer between July 27th and August.

This will be the first time since 1948 that the Olympic Games have been hosted in the UK, and only the third time ever.

The Olympic Torch is a key symbol of the Olympic Games, and the Torch Relay is a key element of the Olympic celebrations. Although the route was planned to be within 10 miles of 95% of the population many people from the area surrounding Ross are expected to come into the town on that day as it is their nearest point of contact.

About 2,000 children from the local primary schools, as well as St Weonard's, St John's of Coleford and Longhope School are coming into town to join the party.

The Olympic Torch Relay will start on May 19th from Lands End and will pass through through Ross on Friday, May 25th.

Denise Mason, the Town Clerk said there has been a huge amount of preparation for this event. "We are expecting lots of residents and visitors to come out to support the relay and line the route."

She also said that people need to think about how and where they want to watch the torch procession. And she reminded people that if they are planning to go to work as normal they will need to change their journey through town.