COLCHESTER is planning a packed day of festivities to mark the arrival of the Olympic flame to the town on Friday, July 6.

Britain’s oldest recorded town has laid on a host of free activities in clubs, galleries and churches for the crowds expected to watch the torch procession.

Some of the highlights include a 500m rowing challenge outside Leisure World and an instrumental performance from Colchester 6th Form College students in North Hill.

The University of Essex is hosting an Olympic themed art exhibition while firstsite gallery is running hoola hoop sessions from 10am.

Colchester will be the first stop for the Essex leg of the torch relay before continuing on to Hatfield Peverel and to Chelmsford where thousands of people from around the county will watch an evening of live entertainment in Hylands Park.

One of the torchbearers is 18-year-old George Walklett from Manningtree who was nominated for his voluntary work with the RSPCA during his summer holidays. He’s also raised money for Help the Heroes and was awarded Outstanding Sea Cadet at last year’s summer camp.

Another is Cheryl Stepton, 45, who helps children who are excluded from main stream education and Tracy Mcgill who delivers kickboxing and self-defence lessons to young people.

Chair of the Colchester Partnership for the London 2012 Olympics Tina Dopson, said: “I’m delighted that so many local groups and organisations have come together to offer the people and visitors of Colchester such a fantastic morning. This really will be a wonderful celebration and I feel immensely proud that we will be welcoming the Olympic Torch Relay to our town.”

The University of Essex will be offering free parking on the morning of the relay. Buses will leave from the Valley Road bus stops at 6.15am, 6.30am and 6.45am.