THE Olympic Torch will make its long-awaited appearance in Bournemouth, Poole and Purbeck today, to the delight of tens of thousands of onlookers.

Day 56 of the Olympic Torch Relay will see the flame carried 76 miles from Portland Bill to Bournemouth, taking in Corfe Castle, Swanage, Wareham and Poole en route.

The torch will arrive in Corfe Castle at 12.06pm, enter Swanage at 12.24pm, where the relay will break for lunch, Stoborough at 2.21pm and Wareham at 2.35pm.

The flame will then be carried on to Sandford at 2.44pm, Lytchett Minster at 3pm, Upton at 3.07pm and Hamworthy at 3.28pm.

Some of the biggest crowds are expected in Poole town centre, where the torch is due to arrive just before 4pm. The Poole route includes the Quay, the Seldown Bridge, Ashley Cross, Branksome and Wallisdown.

The convoy will then will enter Bournemouth via Boundary Road shortly before 6pm and will be taken round Ensbury Park, Winton, Charminster and the Lansdowne before ending up at the Pier Approach.

The Torch is sure to receive a rapturous welcome at Bournemouth seafront, where a beach party for more than 12,000 lucky ticket holders will be taking place.

This free party will include performances by Wretch32 and Twist and Pulse and will start at 5.30pm and finish at around 8pm.

Charlie Rogers, the final torchbearer of the day, will bring the Torch on stage and light the cauldron at around 7.20pm. But the celebrations will continue into the night, with family entertainment in the Lower Gardens and a firework finale at 10pm.

All our stories at bournemouthecho.co.uk/torchrelay