Thousands of people lined the streets as anticipation built for the torch’s arrival in Tower Hamlets on its journey to the Olympic Stadium yesterday.

Running about two hours late it arrived at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in the afternoon before undertaking a second pass through the borough in Poplar.

It then made its way through Canary Wharf at about 7pm before leaving the borough by road convoy on the Limehouse Link.

The Flame also visited London landmarks such as the Abbey Road crossing, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London Zoo and Piccadilly Circus as part of 24-torch relay of the capital.

To make certain the opening ceremony could start on time, a break-away flame was created at City Hall.