WITH less than five months to go to the Olympic Torch coming to Dorset there is a lot of exciting planning and preparation under way.

As chair of the Dorset Torch Working Group I am working with all the agencies involved across the county to co-ordinate resources and plans to ensure we have an absolutely outstanding experience when the Torch arrives.

The iconic Torch will arrive in the county via Shaftesbury on July 12 and will travel through North Dorset and Dorchester to an overnight stop in Weymouth.

The following day it will be carried through Purbeck communities en route to Poole and Bournemouth where it will overnight again before leaving on Saturday 14 for Christchurch and on to Hampshire. It will travel through 42 villages and towns during its 48 hours in Dorset – that’s a big celebration!

My role involves meeting with all the other agencies such as district and county councils and emergency services to make sure all health and safety issues have been addressed, contingency plans are in place and that all procedures have been tested so that we can all enjoy a safe and exciting celebration. We want as many people as possible to see the torch and celebrate the spirit of the Games right here in Dorset, especially as the sailing events will be hosted off our coastline.

With that in mind we are encouraging as many clubs, community groups, workplaces, schools and young people to join in the celebrations when the torch comes through their area.

I personally hope to see lots of street parties, international-themed celebrations, window displays, street entertainers and more as part of the celebrations.

So let’s all join together for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and make it an experience to remember!

Jane Portman