Olympic Torch in West Mids

As the Olympic flame starts it's journey through the West Midlands - it's going to be visiting some of the places it was first created.  

After starting it's life in the region, the torch then travelled to Greece to be lit in an opening ceremony, before being carried from Lands End, through the streets of Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Bristol and Gloucestershire. 

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On the 24th of May it finally came home to the region where it was made.  

The eight thousand torches which are being displayed to the nation on the 70 day tour of the UK were made at Premier MD in Coventry. 

The company had one hundred and fifty workers producing the iconic torches for many months - making sure each design was exactly right.

A Birmingham firm were also given the job of making the gas burners for the flame. 

The Tysley based company, Bullfinch Gas, worked to great lengths to make sure the flame doesn't go out on the Olympic celebrations, going as far as the top of Snowdon to test it. So far it's only gone out once since the journey started from Lands End on Saturday the 19th of May. 

Anthony Nolan's worked at Bullfinch for the last 40 years and says this is one of his greatest work achievements.

 "It's a great honour really, it's something we'll never be involved with again. I Just hope nothing goes wrong''. 

The MD of Bullfinch, Andrew Williams says the Olympics has really given the businesses in the West Midlands a boost and has even created five jobs in his company:

 'It's meant alot to all of our workers and hopefully it will be a springboard for us to have other opportunities like this'. 

Andrew says this is proof that the Olympics is not just about London and there is excitement for the games in the West Midlands. 

Some of the torchbearers from the region have described their feelings of anxiety and excitement as the event draws closer

14 year old Andrew Evans Fisher is carrying the torch through Worcester.  He was nominated to carry the torch in recognition of his fundraising for Transplant support UK after he had a kidney transplant. He says he's looking forward to holding the flame:

'I feel lucky more than anything. I would say I'm more excited than nervous'. 

The inspirational people from the West Midlands who've been chosen to carry the Olympic flame will be watched by thousands until it makes it's way to London for the official games to begin. 

The torch arrives at the place where Great Britain had our first Olympics - Much Wenlock - in Shropshire on Wednesday 30th May.