Flame flown in ahead of Olympic relay

The Olympic flame arrived in the UK last night ahead of a 70-day tour of the country.

David Beckham, the Princess Royal, Lord Coe, chairman of Games organisers Locog, and London Mayor Boris Johnson flew from Athens, Greece, with the flame.

They were on board a British Airways gold-liveried plane named The Firefly.

The jet landed at 7.25pm at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall.

The Princess Royal carried the lantern containing the flame from the aircraft, accompanied by Beckham, who hopes to play for the Team GB football side, Lord Coe, Mr Johnson and five British sporting teenagers.

The torch was lit from the lantern and was passed to Beckham, who said: “Amazing, amazing day, very proud. ”

Lord Coe added: “The arrival of the Olympic Flame on home soil is a magical moment for any host country.”