THE Olympic torch will travel through West Somerset as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route next year.

Games organisers confirmed on Monday that the torch would travel through Lynton and Lynmouth from North Devon, then on to Porlock, Dunster, Minehead, Carhampton, Washford, Williton and Crowcombe en route from Cornwall to London via an 8,000 miles route around the UK.

Around 1,000 villages, towns and cities have been invited to host the flame on its journey to the Capital.

Cllr Tim Taylor, leader of West Somerset Council, welcomed the news and said a number of different organisations had been involved in bringing the torch to the district.

He said:  "This is a unique opportunity to see the famous Olympic flame as it passes through local towns and villages. 

"I look forward to people celebrating this event with friends and family as our communities get together to cheer on the torchbearers, witness the famous flame and make the most of this great day for West Somerset."

The torch is due in West Somerset on Monday, May 21, and local people are being urged to get into the Olympic spirit as part of the countdown to the games themselves.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: "We are thrilled to confirm that West Somerset will act as host locations for the Olympic flame, extending an invitation to people in West Somerset to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.

"This is the UK's moment to shine and I want to encourage people across West Somerset  to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games."

The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay starts at Land's End in Cornwall on May 19, with the route around the UK taking it within half an hour's journey time of some 95 per cent of the population.

Potential torchbearers will be given a "conditional offer" to be part of the relay next month, with final places due to be confirmed in January.

The street-by-street detail of the route will also be confirmed next year, with more details available on the website http://www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap">www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap.

The last leg of the route will see the flame travelling along the River Thames to the Olympic Stadium on July 27 for the lighting of the "cauldron" at the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, communities wanting to do their bit for the celebrations are being given a helping hand with the launch of The Local Leaders initiative.

By signing up to http://www.london2012.com/localleaders">www.london2012.com/localleaders, people will receive information on a range of themed celebration ideas and free London 2012 event materials.

Schools will also be able to register for the Get Set for the Olympic Torch Relay education resource, which provides learning aids to explain the history of Olympic torch relays and the design of the London 2012 torch.

A further education resource will launch next year to encourage schools to plan a welcome for the Olympic flame and show support for the torchbearers.