The Olympic Flame is due to arrive at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose tonight from where it will be carried in a Sea King helicopter to the start of the UK Torch Relay.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) recently announced that a Royal Navy Search and Rescue squadron has been selected to transfer the Olympic Flame from RNAS Culdrose near Helston in Cornwall to Land’s End tomorrow for the start of the UK Torch Relay.

The Olympic Flame is due to arrive at Culdrose this evening on board a British Airways, gold-liveried aircraft from Athens.

After an overnight stay at the Air Station, the Flame will be flown to Land’s End by 771 Naval Air Squadron in a Sea King helicopter that has been used for many lifesaving missions across the South West.

Upon landing, one the four aircrew members will jump from the aircraft and carry the Olympic Flame to the start of the London 2012 Torch Relay, so that its momentous journey across the UK can begin.

The Olympic Flame will then travel 8,000 miles (12,875km) across the UK to within 10 miles (16km) of 95 per cent of the population. 8,000 Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame for approximately 300 metres each, passing the Olympic Flame from torch to torch until it reaches the Olympic Stadium on the evening of 27 July.

Source and photo: MOD UK