Birkenhead Park to host huge sports and fitness jamboree on the day Wirral welcomes the Olympic Torch Relay

Mar 21 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A HUGE sports and fitness jamboree in Birkenhead Park will welcome the Olympic Torch Relay to Wirral in June.

The relay, which begins on Saturday, May 19, at Lands End in Cornwall, is taking the Olympic torch on an epic 70-day journey around the UK.

It will cover around 8,000 miles before it arrives in London at the Olympic Stadium.

The flame will be in Wirral from around 5.45pm on Friday, June 1.

The official route follows Gorsey Lane, Wallasey, then progresses via Duke St, Park Road, Park Road North, and Ashville Road, before entering Birkenhead Park.

The torch will be carried through Birkenhead town centre and Hamilton Square, before being taken across the River Mersey from Woodside on one of the Mersey Ferries.

The torch will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers across the UK – 13 had been announced for Wirral when the News went to press.

To mark the occasion Wirral Council is organising displays of sports and fitness activities in Birkenhead Park from 4pm on the day the torch arrives.