TWO hundred people are now ready to take part in an alternative torch relay around six villages.

There are now more runners from Suffolk taking part in the relay around Witnesham, Ashbocking, Otley, Swilland, Tuddenham and Westerfield than will get to take part in the official relay when it passes through the county over the next three days.

Each runner will cover a relatively short stretch of the relay, which will use an official torch leant to organisers by someone who has already taken part in the official event, which arrives in Suffolk today.

The Six Villages Torch Run starts at noon on Saturday in Witnesham at the Barley Mow and takes in stops at the Crockery barn in Ashbocking, the White Hart pub in Otley, the Moon and Mushroom in Swilland and then the Fountain in Tuddenham. Further stops will be at the Swan and Railway pubs in Westerfield and Fynne Valley Golf Club before the flame arrives back at the Barley Mow at about 4.30pm.

At each stop along the way people will be able to have a photograph taken with the official torch at no cost, other than a donation to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices charity.

Co-organiser Steve Henley, from Witnesham, said the fun would not be finished once the relay ends.

He said: “It’s not all over then. Runners will receive their medal presented by a local celebrity and the opportunity to have that precious photo taken, with the torch, will be there throughout the evening.

“You can strain to see the torch as it passes through Ipswich or you can come down to the Barley Mow from 4.30pm and not only see it but hold it and have your photo taken, all for a good cause.

“There will be live music into the late evening with fireworks to celebrate the day the torch came to our six villages.”

For more on the Olympic torch relay click on the link at the top right of this story.