Olympic Flame to visit Battle Abbey and Channel Tunnel on its journey from Hastings to Dover

On Wednesday 18 July, the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - will travel 57.44 miles through nine communities on its journey from Hastings to Dover.

The Relay will travel through the following communities: Hastings, Rye, Hamstreet, Ashford, Hythe, Sandgate, Folkestone, Samphire Hoe and Dover.

Highlights for today include:

07.45 - Visit to Battle Abbey. A Torchbearer will carry the Flame in a lantern to Battle Abbey.

08.50 - Funicular Railway, Hastings. A Torchbearer will carry the Flame on the funicular railway.

15.20 - Heather Hale will carry the Flame at the entrance of the Channel Tunnel. Heather, 33, from Ashford, motivates and inspires young people through the Explorer Group, which takes young people overseas. She is a volunteer and kayak coach for Seapoint Centre where she teaches young people and adults with learning disabilities. Her devotion and inspiration to young people is fantastic.

17.27 - A Torchbearer will carry the Flame on a Tall Ship into Dover.

The evening celebration will take place on Dover seafront.

The evening celebration will feature a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

Coca-Cola will bring to the stage music from Rizzle Kicks. There will also be a performance of a unique fusion of street performance, theatre and sport and a routine from dance duo Twist and Pulse.

Local performances on the night include children from local songs singing 'Pass the Passion'; the Snowdown Colliery Male Choir; and local cheerleaders the Vista Twisters and CJ Dance Cheer Squad

Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day - Graeme Faber - will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience. Graeme, 76, from Canterbury, was present at the 1948 opening ceremony in London as a small boy. He has climbed mountains, cycled hundreds of miles across Mongolia, trekked in Nepal, run marathons and triathlons and raised funds for Water Aid and MacMillan Cancer along the way. He has also beaten his own bowel and kidney cancers with the same quiet determination, and continues at the age of 75 to run every day.

Torchbearer highlights:

Luke Quilter, 28, who is from Hythe and is carrying the Flame in Hythe, was selected through the Coca-Cola Future Flames programme, Luke Quilter is currently Kent's young entrepreneur of the year works hard to help other business grow and get other young people in work and active.

Nathan Bailey, is from Bournemouth and is carrying the Flame in Boscombe. Nathan, 18, is a Lloyds TSB Local Hero and trampolinist from Bournemouth, selected by Lloyds TSB because of his commitment and dedication to his sport and inspiring his peers by working with local children in his community during off season.

Douglas Evans, 54 was nominated through the LOCOG campaign. Doug, who is from Romney and carrying the Flame in Rye, took up karate and kendo at 17, progressing to studying Iaido (Japanese traditional swordsmanship) at 25, over 30 years ago. Doug's success has reflected his commitment: he has run Minato Dojo (school) since 1989 where he is Senior Sensei, and became European Iaido Champion in 1999. Doug will take wayward, aggressive individuals and help them channel their uncontrolled energy to give their lives balance, focussing on their family or martial art, improving our community by doing so.

Robbie Herbert, 15, from Deal and carrying the Flame in Dover. Robbie's future in sport was assured before being diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a life-threatening genetic defect. Refusing to be crushed he has diversified. Robbie chose darts three years ago and plays regularly in the league; his dedication demonstrated recently in the World Championship in London. He sustains his love of football by playing alternately as goalkeeper and centre back for Castle Community College and Dover Rangers. Robbie, who was nominated through Dover District Council, encourages less-gifted students and believes that all players and officials should be treated with the utmost respect. A sporting ambassador, he is aware that life is too short to waste and is committed to inclusive participation. Disarmingly modest, Robbie speaks of past experiences representing Great Britain at the 2008 Youth World Cup in Sweden, but only when asked! Robbie lives for sport, exemplifying its very best values.

James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola Northwest Europe & Nordics, said: "Today, with just nine days to go, more Coca-Cola Future Flames will help us celebrate the sixty-first day of our amazing journey, including Luke Quilter and Ben James who carry the Olympic Flame in Hythe and Folkestone. We will also get everyone to Move to the Beat tonight as we bring Rizzle Kicks to the stage in Dover."

Sally Hancock, Director, London 2012 Partnership at Lloyds TSB said: "With only nine more days to go, the Olympic Torch Relay continues its journey through the South East of England. Lloyds TSB is proud to bring the excitement of London 2012 to Kent and is creating as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved as the Flame passes their door. We are calling on communities throughout the region to cheer their local Lloyds TSB Torchbearers - extraordinary people like Tom Smith and Jon Green, carrying the Flame in Hastings and Folkestone. Our Lloyds TSB Flame Followers continue to dazzle and entertain, lighting the route ahead of the Flame before their performance in the Flame Followers Spectacular in Dover tonight."

Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, said: "Samsung is delighted to be a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay as it has given us the perfect opportunity to encourage everyone from all around the world to be involved in the Olympic Games."

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog http://blog.london2012.com or follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/london2012

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