Boxing champion Amir Khan brings Olympic Torch to Bolton to light cauldron

TORCH: Khan ingites cauldron

By Mancunian Matters staff

Boxing champion Amir Khan completed the final leg of Bolton’s Olympic Torch Relay today.

Khan, who became the youngest British Olympic boxing medallist when he won silver at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, picked the torch up just after 18.45pm.

He arrived at Bolton Town Hall just after 7pm and was one of 135 torchbearers who carried the flame today, joining Twist & Pulse and The Wombats in celebratory events

He told the BBC: "I think the last boxer to carry a torch was Muhammad Ali, so it's a great honour for me."

Despite the downturn in weather after a week of sunshine, the crowd numbers grew in excitement for the chance to see the Olympic Torch.

Bolton Mayor Guy Harkin said: "I'm 65 and I've never seen anything like it in my life."

The torch will leave Bolton tomorrow, just after 6am, from Victoria Square and then travel on to Chorley New Road, down Scholes Bank in Horwich before arriving in Chorley at approximately 7.20am.

A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame on its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey around the UK to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 27 July.

Make sure you follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the most up-to-date coverage of the torch's arrival in Bolton. You can also find our live blog HERE.