Your view: Olympic torch to tour the United Kingdom

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Olympic torchImage source, AP

As the Olympic flame arrives in the UK, Newsbeat's been finding out whether people think it'll have an impact.

David Beckham will fly the torch into Cornwall on Friday evening (18 May) after a handing over ceremony was held in the Greek capital, Athens.

The torch will then start a 70-day relay around the UK, before arriving at London's Olympic Stadium in Stratford at the opening ceremony on 27 July.

It will be carried 8,000 miles by the same number of people.

Newsbeat's been to south Devon where Radio 1 is holding a dance party for 8,000 people to celebrate the torch arriving.

Radio 1 Starts the Summer... Live in Torbay will see DJs like Example and Eric Prydz perform on Saturday, as well as Annie Mac and Pete Tong.

Naomi Farrell, 17

Image caption,

Naomi (right) with friend Natalie

"We are all more interested in the fact Radio 1 has come down here," said Naomi.

"People are not really bothered at what it has actually come for. They are more bothered about the music and everything."

Zoe Hart, 17

Image caption,

Zoe (right) with her friend Tessa

"I couldn't care less. It's just a big torch," said Zoe.

"The Radio 1 thing I am game for, but the whole torch thing doesn't sound appealing to me.

"I just don't understand the whole Olympic thing really, why it's such a massive deal."

Curtis Clark, 17

Image caption,

Curtis with his friends Savannah and Nirvana

"One of my mates is being a torch runner," said Curtis.

"People from all areas get to celebrate the Olympics and they don't actually have to be in London so it's all good."

On Newsbeat's Facebook page

Jared Zidane said: "I know my train will be delayed by the Olympic torch in a few weeks. I do care about that."

But Lisa Shaw is more enthusiastic: "Extremely excited and hoping to see the torch on its way through Lincolnshire!"

David Barker disagreed: "All the money they have spent on the Olympics could have been put to better things like the NHS and the army.

"This place is so messed up."

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