Culdrose ignites Olympic fever as symbolic flame begins its journey around the UK in Cornwall

The legendary Olympic flame will begin its 8,000-mile odyssey around Britain at the Royal Navy’s Culdrose airfield in Cornwall.

The torch, symbol of the Games since the days of the Ancients, will fly into the Cornish Naval air station on the evening May 18, it was announced today.

From there it will make the short journey to Lands End as the Olympic relay begins the following day, with the first of 8,000 torchbearers carrying the flame to the four corners of the isles.

By the time it reaches the stadium in London on July 27 it will have passed within ten miles of 19 in every 20 of the nation’s 62 million inhabitants.

The very first Britons to see the torch on UK soil will be some 1,000 personnel and guests at Culdrose, near Helston.

Home to the Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters and eye-in-the-sky Sea Kings which are currently playing a key role in the fight against the insurgency in Afghanistan, the airfield has been chosen as the landing site for a special gold-liveried British Airways Airbus 319, ‘BA2012’, which will deliver the torch between 6.30 and 7.30pm on Friday May 18.

Captain Willie Entwisle, the airbase’s Commanding Officer, said:

“We are honoured that the Olympic Flame will arrive in the UK by landing at Culdrose.

“Our personnel, many of whom are currently supporting the Royal Navy on operations across the globe, are very excited that the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games will start here. We are delighted to be playing such an important part in this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt added:

"When BA2012 touches down in Cornwall carrying the Olympic torch it will be a hugely exciting moment.

"This kicks off our incredible torch relay right around the country and I’m sure the torch will spread ‘Olympic fever’ everywhere it goes.”

The flame begins its journey at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, some eight days before it arrives in Cornwall. It is lit using the sun's rays in a traditional hour-long ceremony among the historic ruins of the home of the ancient Games.

After a seven-day relay around Greece, the torch arrives in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on May 17 for the official Olympic flame handover ceremony.

From there it falls to BA to fly it the 1,650 miles to Culdrose.

“I am delighted that Culdrose will be the first to welcome the Olympic flame into the UK,”  said Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for the Armed Forces to be involved in such a unique event, and one they can take pride in for years to come.’

As the Olympic flame is classified as a symbol it is permitted to be carried on board an aircraft subject to special authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority.

The flame will travel in a ceremonial lantern that is secured in a specially-designed cradle which is, in turn, firmly fixed to its seat on the plane using a secure holding device. It’s been designed so it can burn safely for up to 30 hours.