Olympic torch relay: Flame visits Sandringham House

The Olympic flame visited Sandringham House, the Norfolk country retreat of The Queen, as the torch relay travelled from <link> <caption>Peterborough to Norwich. </caption> <url href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day47" platform="highweb"/> </link>

The torch was also carried on to the 111-year-old Cromer Pier during the 127-mile journey.

Olympian Goldie Sayers, the British women's record holder for the javelin, was among the day's 124 torchbearers on day 47 of the torch relay.

An evening celebration took place at Chapelfield Gardens in Norwich.

The day began in Peterborough's Guildhall Square and took in Market Deeping, Thurlby, Bourne, Spalding, Moulton, Whaplode, Holbeach, Long Sutton, King's Lynn, South Wootton, West Rudham, East Rudham, Fakenham, Holt, Cromer, Aylsham and Norwich.

One of the highlights came at around 14:15 when Paul Tudor carried the flame through the Norwich Gates into <link> <caption>Sandringham House,</caption> <url href="http://www.sandringhamestate.co.uk/" platform="highweb"/> </link> which has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862.

Mr Tudor was selected as a torchbearer for his dedication to squash at club, county and, in recent years, international level for Wales over-55s.

On the steps in front of Sandringham House the flame was passed to Rachel Forrest, who carried her torch back out through the famous Norwich Gates.

Ms Forrest is a dedicated rugby player and the only female referee in the Norfolk and Eastern Counties.

Later in the afternoon the flame was carried on to <link> <caption>Cromer Pier</caption> <url href="http://www.cromer-pier.com/default.asp" platform="highweb"/> </link> . The current pier is 111 years old but there has been a jetty or a pier in Cromer since 1391.

The flame was then due to be carried by British sprinter Devonish, who won Olympic gold in the 4x100m relay at the Athens Games in 2004, but he pulled out his stint.

Devonish missed out on selection for the Team GB 2012 athletics squad which was announced on Tuesday.

Two other Olympians had torchbearing duties on Wednesday.

Javelin thrower Sayers, who just missed out on a medal when she came fourth in Beijing four years ago, ran with the torch in Bourne just before 09:00 BST.

And in Norwich the flame was carried by Kate Walsh, who will be playing in her third Olympics this summer. She has been captain of the Great Britain and England hockey teams for eight years.

Charlotte Peck, the last torchbearer of the day in Norwich, carried the flame into Chapelfield Gardens for the evening celebration.

A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July.