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Suffolk torch relay celebrates Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Holbrook Primary School Holbrook Primary School children with Rugby 7s Olympic athlete, Ethan Waddleton, who lives in HolbrookHolbrook Primary School
Holbrook Primary School children with Rugby Sevens Olympic athlete, Ethan Waddleton, who lives in Holbrook

A 588-mile (946km) torch relay is taking place between towns and villages to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Festival of Suffolk relay is part of several county-wide events taking place to celebrate the Queen's 70th year as monarch.

After starting in Brandon on 13 May, the relay will end at the Suffolk Showground on Wednesday 1 June for the Jubilee Pageant.

About 250 "local heroes" were nominated to carry the torch, organisers said.

They will take part by travelling in a rickshaw and carrying torches which are handed on across the county.

Barbara Thomas Derrick Thomas and his grandson Titius in Whitton, SuffolkBarbara Thomas
London 2021 Olympic torchbearer, Derrick Thomas, and his grandson Titius doing the Whitton leg of the relay

Michael Hardiman, who carried the torch through Woolpit with his dog Berkeley, said he was "very humbled" to have been chosen to take part due to his service to the community.

The parish councillor said he enjoyed spending time dealing with issues such as potholes and dangerous trees.

"It was suggested that me and my dog are the eyes, ears and nose of the village," he said.

Festival of Suffolk Suffolk businesses welcome the relay torchFestival of Suffolk
Suffolk businesses welcomed the relay torch
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