London 2012: David Beckham's special year for the UK

A plane carrying the Olympic flame to the UK is due to land in Cornwall on Friday, ahead of a 10-week nationwide torch relay ahead of the London Games.

Earlier the Princess Royal, Lord Coe, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and David Beckham attended a ceremony in Athens where the Olympic flame was handed over to Britain.

The footballer was announced as ''Sir'' David Beckham at the ceremony, which he admitted was quite appealing. He said it was an honour to be part of London 2012.