HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Okehampton, Folly Gate and Hatherleigh on Monday morning to cheer as the Olympic torch passed through West Devon.

People arrived in Okehampton more than two hours before the torch relay was due.

Carrying the torch through the town centre was West Devon Olympic hopeful and pistol shooter Georgina Geikie, who will find out if she has a place on the British Olympic team on Monday.

On her website, Georgina said: 'When I was found out I was going to be a torch-bearer, I was and still am completely honoured. I couldn't believe it.

'I feel so proud to be carrying it through my home town of Okehampton, where so many people live who have helped me to be where I am today.'

Okehampton mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I was so impressed with the turnout, there were hundreds of people in the town, making for a great atmosphere.

'I was in the town centre at 7.20am, and people were already lined up on the street then, and have really got behind it.

'I do love sport and I am excited about the London Olympics.?It was great to see that excitement in Okehampton.'

The relay had a carnival atmosphere, with street entertainers at Lloyds TSB, and hundreds of people waving Union flags and cheering as the lucky few carried the torch through West Devon.

Okehampton Otters Swimming Club has fully embraced the Olympic spirit, sending a group to watch the British swimming trials in the Olympic Park back in March, and they had a big presence on Fore Street to watch the torch go by.

Club chairman Rob Ewen said: 'Okehampton looked great and it was really exciting.

'We have a running theme this year supporting the Olympics, and we were not able to get tickets as a group to watch the swimming in person, which is a great shame. But seeing the torch was the next best thing.'

One of Okehampton's own torchbearers, Andy Vallance, watched the torch relay pass through Folly Gate. Andy was one of the 8,000 inspiring people chosen to carry the torch, selected for his 19 marathon runs to raise money primarily for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and for his involvement in founding Okehampton Running Club.

He said: 'It is so great to see the torch pass through West Devon and Okehampton, and I am so happy to see the area get to enjoy a bit of the Olympics. I watched in Folly Gate, because that is where it all started for me.

'I did my first London Marathon because the old landlord of the pub there offered to sponsor me to do it, and if it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't be stood here today with the torch. It was great to support it here, and see everyone so excited.

'Being a torchbearer has been absolutely brilliant. It has been the greatest experience. You get dropped off from the bus to do your leg and everyone takes photos and crowds round you, it makes you feel famous for five minutes.'

Andy visited the primary schools in Okehampton, Hatherleigh, Boasley Cross and Lewtrenchard to drum up enthusiasm in youngsters for the games.

He said: 'If meeting a torch bearer or seeing the relay can get a few of the kids into sport and excited about the games, then it is really worth it.'

Hatherleigh Primary School held a day of special activities to celebrate the occasion. Caroline Boother, headteacher of the school, said: 'The torch relay through Hatherleigh was great. The children were really excited by it, and it will really be something for them to remember. They really were looking forward to it.

'Having Andy visit the school is also great, and it should be a great day here at the school.'

Marilyn Cooper, clerk of Inwardleigh Parish Council, watched the torch pass through Folly Gate. She said: 'It was great — we watched it go by, listened to it on the radio, took pictures and it was all very exciting.

'There were hundreds, if not thousands, here —there was a heap at the pub, which was rammed and then lots more at the hall and lining the route.

'We spoke to people from as far away as Bath, Essex and Cornwall who travelled down here to get a good view of the torch, and I bet they did. It was great.'