Golden sunshine and clear blue skies met the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay on Tuesday as Bradford on Avon held a world class party in the town.

Organisers couldn’t have wished for better weather as thousands of people took to the streets to greet the 10 runners who carried the torch along the town’s route.

The torch arrived in the town centre, to rapturous applause, being carried by St Laurence School’s PE teacher Charlotte Bryer, 26, at 2.35pm.

Miss Bryer said: “It was absolutely amazing to be part of the torch relay. I really enjoyed it but I’m still just a bit flabbergasted by it all really. I was really nervous, I think all of us on the bus were, but I was fine the second I started the run and It was just an amazing thing to be part of.”

The relay began in Trowbridge Road with the torchbearers meeting at kissing points along the route as the flame was carried through the town and finished in Winsley Road.

Bradford on Town councillor Isabel Martindale, who organises the town’s sports festival, said: “It was just so emotional to see everything finally coming together as young and old celebrated this fantastic occasion. we were also very blessed to have such great weather.”

Former England rugby captain and World Cup winner, Lewis Moody, and Silver Olympic Medal winning swimmer Sharron Davies cheered on torchbearer Rob Jenkins, 43, from Bristol, as he carried the flame across the town’s iconic bridge.

Ms Davies, 49, who will carry the torch in Gloucester’s relay on Thursday, said: “It was all just fantastic and obviously it was great to see so many people come out and cheer on the torchbearers. This great community spirit is why we were awarded the games in the first place.”

In preparation for the arrival of the torch, crowds came to the town at lunchtime for a picnic in Westbury Gardens and enjoyed a concert by local music groups performing on the bandstand, Bradford on Avon Town Council, erected as part of the Olympic celebrations.

Jill Hughes, 46, from Staverton, took her children seven-year-old, Billy, and three-year-old, Emily, to the gardens to soak up the atmosphere.

She said: “It has been a hugely exciting day, I’m glad the schools gave the children half a day off, as this is just unmissable and something everyone should have a chance to see.”

Author Sue Le Blond, 60, of Ashley Close, was one 40 singers who performed with Singing in The Round in Westbury Gardens.

She said: “I was absolutely over the moon to be a part of this once in a lifetime event. I’m not an overly sporty person but today was about more than sport. For me, It was about this community coming together and celebrating a wonderful occasion.”

Celebrations in the town carried on long after the Olympic Torch Relay left finishing with the Post-Torch Blues concert in St Margaret’s Hall on Tuesday evening.