By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 12:13, Wednesday, 27 June 2012

The leader of Carlisle City Council has issued his thanks to the 60,000 people who welcomed the Olympic flame.

Joe Hendry also spoke of the pride felt in the city following the visit of the torch relay last week, which saw cheering crowds line the streets and pack Bitts Park over two days of celebrations.

Residents came out of their homes, schoolchildren waved flags and banners and businesses and community groups joined in to roar torch bearers on during an unforgettable journey.

Mr Hendry said: “I’d like to send out a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support and welcome the Olympic torch relay visits to Carlisle.

“It’s estimated that over the two days a staggering 60,000 people lined the streets and joined in the Bitts Park celebrations.

“The community groups, schools and voluntary groups, including the Rotary Club, should all be commended for their invaluable contribution too.

“It was an extremely proud few days for the 24 torch bearers who took part in the Carlisle stages and an equally proud time for the city too.”

The city council estimates about 30 to 35,000 people attended last Wednesday’s event in Bitts Park and that a further 20,000 people lined the route that evening.

It also believes up to 10,000 people lined the streets for the relay the following day.

The torch started its journey in Carlisle at about 6pm, at the junction of Warwick Road and Montgomery Way at Rosehill.

It then travelled towards the city centre through Warwick Road, Victoria Place, Spencer Street and The Crescent before being carried on into the main pedestrianised area.

It continued its journey towards Bitts Park, where a party to mark the occasion included performances from pop star Katy B, acrobatics team Flame Followers and stars of Britain’s Got Talent Twist & Pulse.

The flame passed through Carlisle again the next day, travelling down Kingstown Road, Scotland Road, Hardwicke Circus and Castle Way towards Wigton Road, before being carried out of the city.

NGriffiths@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk