MORE than 50,000 people are expected across three west Suffolk towns for the once in a lifetime occasion of the Olympic torch relay.

On Saturday, July 7, the torch is coming to Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and Newmarket, where there will be a number of events for visitors.

A spokeswoman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council said they were expecting up to 25,000 people in each of the three towns.

John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “This will be an event of a lifetime. We have hosted some special occasions in Bury St Edmunds, but this is by far the most significant.

“Considerable excitement is building and we are expecting thousands of visitors to line the route as the flame passes. We want everyone to enjoy the day and discover what a fantastic place Bury is.”

In Bury, the end point for the torch is the West Suffolk Athletics Track, where more than 1,000 young people from across the county will have competed at the Suffolk Youth Games during the afternoon.

There will also be street entertainers in Angel Hill, Bury.

The occasion in Haverhill is expected to be the biggest event the town has ever seen. There, celebrations will be taking place on the Recreation Ground, in the Jubilee plaza and in St Mary’s Churchyard.

From 10.30am there will be Olympic-themed street entertainers in Queen Street, High Street and on Jubilee Plaza.

In Newmarket, the carnival parade starts at 1pm and two City of London police horses will be joining the crowds.

Torchbearers include Stewart Bethell from Ipswich who has been a keen fundraiser for a charity which helps children with brain tumours.