UPDATE: Huge crowds lined the streets as the Olympic Torch relay passed through Falmouth this lunchtime.

Despite a delay of around 30 minutes, people waited patiently to catch a glimpse of the flame as it was carried through the town.

A planned 20-minute stop at Custom House Quay was cut short as organisers attempted to make up for lost time.

The torch travelled on a route from Dracaena Avenue to Melvill Road, via the town centre streets.

UPDATE: Helston was buzzing with excitement as the Olympic Torch reached Helston this morning.

It was greeted by crowds usually reserved only for Flora Day, wearing beaming smiles and waving flags.

Among them was Freda Williams from Helston, who summed up the feeling of the crowd when she said: “History is being made and I want to be part of it.”

With the torch running 20 minutes late, excitement was at fever-pitch when the police motorcyclists, cavalcade of sponsors’ buses and finally the individual runners themselves made their way down Penzance Road and up Monument Road, Coinagehall Street, Wendron Street and Godolphin Road along to Turnpike, where the torch was placed back in its special vehicle to be taken to Falmouth.

Shortly before arriving in Helston the torch was carried through Ashton and Breage to similar scenes of jubilation.

THE START: The Olympic Torch has begun its journey through Cornwall on day one of the 70-day relay across the UK.

The flame arrived at RNAS Culdrose last night, and set off on it's epic trip from Land's End at 7am this morning.

The first torch bearer was triple gold medallist Ben Ainslie.

The Falmouth sailor was handed the honour just one day after triumphing in the Finn Gold Cup event held in Falmouth Bay last week.

The torch is due to pass through Helston and Falmouth during the next couple of hours, pictures and updates will appear here when available.