London 2012: Liverpool's Olympic torch route revealed

The flame will be carried on the Mersey Ferry in June

The Olympic torch will be taken on a Mersey Ferry cruise and pass Liverpool's two cathedrals on its journey through Merseyside on 1 June.

It will follow a route through Southport and St Helens before heading through Liverpool and Birkenhead.

The flame will be carried through the Mersey Tunnel to Wirral and will return to Liverpool on the Mersey Ferry for celebrations at the Pier Head.

The torch visits Chester on 29 May and heads to Runcorn and Widnes on 31 May.

'Not sporty'

One of the torchbearers is Liverpool taxi driver Bernie Buxton. He was nominated to carry the torch for his charity work for the Liverpool Taxi Drivers Children in Care Outing Fund.

He said: "Never in a million years did I think I'd be involved in the Olympics. I'm not a sporty person but when I found out I was carrying the Olympic flame I was over the moon.

Taxi driver Bernie Buxton was nominated to carry the torch for his charity work

"I'm very grateful for the people who nominated me and it shows me that we are doing something right.

"I pick the torch up in Bolton. I'm in training but I'm not sure if I'll run, hop or skip down the East Lancashire Road."

Molly Steel, 17, from Liverpool, has also been nominated to carry the torch for her commitment to amateur boxing in Merseyside and Cheshire.

She said: "I couldn't believe it when I was told I had been chosen to be an Olympic torchbearer - what a great honour to be carrying the torch through my own city.

"I'm very excited but nervous too, but I feel so lucky as this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The torch is due to arrive in Knotty Ash at 16:14 BST on 1 June then heads to the city centre where it visits the Chinese Arch and St George's Hall.

Ferry crossing

It will temporarily leave the city through the Kingsway tunnel at around 17:40, and will be carried on the Mersey Ferry at the Woodside Ferry Terminal at around 18:45.

Liverpool City Council said people would not be view the torch as it came across the river as the walkways and event site would be closed off at the time.

A spokewoman said they did not want people without tickets to go to the waterfront.

The relay team will then sail back into the Mersey Ferry Terminal at the Pier Head at approximately 19:10, in time for the start of the city's celebrations.

During the 10-week relay, the torch will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers and will travel about 8,000 miles.

London 2012 organisers Locog said the torch will come within 10 miles of 95% of the population.