FOLLOW the Olympic torch as it makes its way through Suffolk

THE Olympic Torch has arrived!

Thousands of people lined the streets of Ipswich to get the best possible vantage point as excitement hit fever pitch.

Families, workers and even yacht owners enjoyed a carnival atmosphere under the beaming sun.

As the torch touched dry land at Foxes Marina to begin its Ipswich journey, cheers echoed down the boardwalk, and sirens sounded from yachts moored at the quay.

A once in a lifetime opportunity for young and old residents of Ipswich, many could not resist purchasing torch paraphernalia, including 61-year-old Neil Hewitt.

“I didn’t expect to see so many people down here.

“It will never happen again to me in my lifetime so I thought I must get involved and hold some kind of torch,” he said.

But for the Kornforth family from Kesgrave, it was sherbets and juice boxes for the kids as they madly waved their blue, red, and white.

Four-year-old Ellie Kornforth, said it was the beginning of her distant dream to compete in the Olympics one day.

“I want to be a gymnast for England when I grow up,” she said.

As the parade of promotional buses parted the crowds to make way for the flame, proud father Ernest Hagan anticipated its arrival for a different reason.

“My son Kasey is about to run through with the torch,

“I can’t believe this is happening, I’m so very proud, just ecstatic,” he said.

Thousands more gathered in Christchurch Park to see the lighting of the caldron and discover a venue crammed full of attractions and delicious treats.

Families set up camp for to watch Robert Pattison pass the torch to Olympic star Nicky Hunt before she took to the stage to light the cauldron.

The torch was carried in the town by Dave Baynes-Robinson, Kasey Hagan, Kat Parnell, Maxine Burgess, Nicky Hunt, Rob Munro and Rob Pattison.

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said they estimated that 75,000 people were in the town to catch a glimpse of the torch.

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