THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Truro on Saturday afternoon to witness the Olympic torch relay’s procession through the city.

Despite delays of around 30 minutes, the crowd, estimated at 25,000 people, waited patiently for their glimpse of the flame.

The first torchbearer in the city was 13-year-old Rhiannon Bryant, with Rik Bennett, Barry Symons, and Lisa Heal also handed the honour of carrying it through the streets.

From Truro the flame was carried on to Newquay, St Stephen, Trewoon and St Austell before stopping at the Eden Project where it was carried by television presenter Ben Fogle, who was raised in a hot air balloon to the top of the rainforest biome.

An estimated 100,000 were on the streets throughout Cornwall to watch the relay, which has been hailed as a huge success by organisers.

“This has been a very special time for everyone in Cornwall,” said Cornwall Council leader Alec Robertson, who provided financial support from his contingency fund, and was at RNAS Culdrose for the arrival of the flame and at both Land’s End and the Tamar Bridge to mark the beginning and the end of the Olympic torch relay in Cornwall.

“We said from the start that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the very best we have to offer and we certainly achieved our aim.

“I am very proud of Cornwall for coming out and supporting this event in such an incredible way and want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this happen.

“In particular I want to thank the people of Cornwall who made sure that we shone on the international stage – from the magnificent civic event hosted by the chairman of the council in Truro Cathedral, to the hundreds of sports events which took place on village greens. Everyone in Cornwall played their part.”