Shropshire Olympic torch route means two visits to county

[divingbrit]

The Olympic torch will pass through Shropshire twice on its way to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Games.

The torch's first visit is on Thursday, 24 May on its way to Worcester.

On Wednesday, 30 May the torch will again be in Shropshire, en route from Wrexham to Stoke-on-Trent.

Councillor Steve Charmley, from Shropshire Council, said: "This will help showcase our county to the world, especially as Much Wenlock has such a connection to the modern Olympics."

The route for 24 May will see the torch passing travelling through Ludlow, Cleehill, Cleobury Mortimer and Far Forest.
Olympic mascot

On 30 May runners will carry the flame through Oswestry, Pant, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Much Wenlock, Benthall, Broseley, Ironbridge, Telford and Newport.

Much Wenlock is widely credited as the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement, after games were established by Dr William Penny Brookes in 1850.

A visit by Baron Pierre De Coubertin convinced the Frenchman to establish the modern Olympics in 1896.

The town's role has recently been recognised with the 2012 Olympic Games mascot being named Wenlock.