Last updated at 12:22, Monday, 25 June 2012

We had the biggest street party of them all today.

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The Olympic flame lit up West Cumbria.

Its glow was still being felt long after its passing by the thousands who turned out in Aspatria, Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Cockermouth and Keswick.

All the generations were there by the roadside; flag waving, cheering and enjoying this little piece of history.

The flame had been lit by the sun’s rays at Olympia in Greece, yet here it was 2,000 miles from home, carried aloft down our high streets, blown along past the wind turbines, silhouetted against our magnificent Lakeland fells.

Unfortunately there was no summer sunshine to greet it, but instead there was a deluge of cheers.

If the Olympic message is about unity and friendship, then it did its job. There was an overwhelming sense of pride among the crowds as the torchbearers took their turns.

And then the torch was gone, although you can guarantee that interest in the forthcoming games will now be stronger than ever.

Because those who saw the torch will never forget it.

They will always remember the day the Olympics came to town.

First published at 19:21, Thursday, 21 June 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk