Olympic torch: Flame takes flight on London Eye

The Olympic flame has had a bird's-eye view of host city London on Sunday after taking an early-morning trip on top of the London Eye.

Amelia Hempleman-Adams, who at 16 became the youngest person to ski to the South Pole, held a torch on top of one of the wheel's capsules.

Former heavyweight world champion boxer Lennox Lewis and classical pianist Lang Lang are among the 163 torchbearers.

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Last December, Hempleman-Adams joined her explorer father, David, in skiing 97 miles to the South Pole to claim the age record.

'Quite scary'

They had set out from the point where Sir Ernest Shackleton abandoned his 1909 mission. Now 17, the Surrey youngster took the flame on one of London's most recognisable landmarks.

"It was amazing to look out and see the whole of London," she told the BBC.

"I decided to see what I'd have to do, thought about it and decided to do it," Amelia, who has tickets for the athletics and diving events, added.

"The height was quite scary but you know you're safe so it's not too bad.

"It was a once in a lifetime experience, especially as the Olympics are in London. It makes it more special."

The second-day of a week-long tour of the capital began at 07:19 BST at Redbridge Cycling Centre, which was built at a cost of £4.5m and will be used as a Games training venue.

Aaron Reynolds carried the flame across the Thames in a London Fire Brigade boat

Luke Benjafield, 20, from Air Training Corps 241 Squadron, carried the flame through a "corridor" of cyclists from local clubs.

And the sporting theme continued shortly afterwards with a visit to Fairlop Lake, where the flame was taken by boat, accompanied by London Youth Games sailors.

Later, the flame was carried aboard Barking Park Light Railway by 87-year-old Paul Freedman.

Mr Freedman, from Hornchurch, Essex, was nominated as a torchbearer for his charity fundraising - efforts which were recognised when he was made a MBE in 2008.

The relay then visited another Games practice venue, The Mayesbrook Park Training Centre, which is used by specialists in athletics throwing disciplines.

Just before mid-day, Britain's Got Talent-winning street dance troupe Diversity carried the flame onto the stage at the Dagenham Town Show.

Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity ran as a group at Barking and Dagenham's Central Park

After lunch the relay moved on to Romford where 17-year-old Aimee Sell carried the flame around the market place.

Despite losing her sight, aged eight, Aimee was graded as a first dan karate black belt by the time she was 12.

She handed over to Caitlin Hewson, 12, who has overcome severe allergies to be selected for Essex under-13 cricket squad.

Former Olympian Mo Morris, 57, who competed in Judo at the 1976 Montreal Games then took his turn.

He was nominated for his work running a football academy.

At about 14:30 Lang Lang - who has performed with leading orchestras around the world - carried the torch onto the stage at Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch.

And at about 15:30, promising sailor Aaron Reynolds, 18, carried the flame across the Thames in a London Fire Brigade boat, accompanied by a flotilla of small craft.

Former boxer Lewis, who was born in Stratford, east London, was the day's final torchbearer. The star, who won Olympic gold for Canada - where he lived as a teenager - in Seoul in 1988, lit a cauldron with the Olympic flame at an evening celebration in Danson Park.

He said of his moment with the torch: "I feel like I was carrying the Olympics in my hand and have now passed it on!"

The day's relay ended with an evening celebration including hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks.