A wave of excitement swept the region yesterday as the Olympic torch was given a breathtaking North-East welcome

TENS of thousands of people took a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to glimpse the Olympic flame on its winding route from Durham to Middlesbrough.

More than 130 torchbearers were given the honour of carrying the flame through 18 cities, towns and villages yesterday.

England and Durham cricketer Paul Collingwood opened the day’s celebrations in Durham City, at one point holding the torch like a bat and attempting a cover drive.

The Ashes winner described the honour of taking part in the relay as “a dream”.

He said: “I am like a kid at Christmas. This is a big thing for the region – a chance to show off the North-East.

“I have got a big smile on my face, and hopefully everyone else who turns up to see will have one as well.”

The Shotley Bridge player was cheered from the cathedral to the Market Place, as Durham City gave the flame a rousing send-off before it left for Sherburn and Haswell Plough.

In Sherburn, the torchbearers included Joanne Rear, 36, who was one of many chosen for their contributions to their communities.

She was nominated for her work to set up Billingham Trampoline Club.

Two weeks ago, on the Queen’s jubilee, she had a baby which she named Elizabeth after Her Majesty.

She had feared the birth would prevent her from taking part in the relay, but decided to join in.

She said: “The atmosphere was amazing.

“Halfway up the hill I saw my husband with our baby, and I stopped to give her a kiss – she just slept through the whole thing.”

Huge crowds greeted the flame in Peterlee and Horden, with the carnival atmosphere continuing.

Opera singer Graeme Danby was accompanied by 150 children for an Olympicinspired performance at East Durham College.

Police motorcyclists heralded the torch’s arrival, high-fiving members of the crowd and sounding their sirens to applause.

Young and old got in the spirit of the day, with many people holding parties.

In Blackhall Colliery, the flame was passed to charity volunteer Larry Smith, 85.

Before the event, Mr Smith, who raises money and awareness for diabetes sufferers, said he would walk the 300 yards “very slowly”

to ensure all his friends could see him.

Mr Smith picked up the flame on the edge of the village and was cheered for every second of his stretch.

“I’m just so proud,” he said, before being ushered onto one of the buses that ferried torch-bearers along the route.

In Hartlepool, Jamie Poole, 24, from Stockton, carried the flame into the Maritime Experience.

He was nominated by the public for the care he gave to a friend who was suffering from cancer.

The huge crowds continued in Billingham, where the torch-carriers included Chris Kerr, 24, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at an early age, and last year graduated from York St John and returned to complete another course.

The flame then headed for Sedgefield, County Durham, where PE teacher Faye Winspear, 24, from Middlesbrough, and local man Ryan Davey, 26, carried the torch.

Sedgefield had double the reasons to celebrate with its village games – opened by Princess Helena of Romania – also taking place yesterday.

Miss Winspear said: “I am speechless – the crowd was absolutely awesome.”

From Sedgefield, the procession moved to Bishop Auckland, where the torchbearers included teenager Lyndon Longhorne, who lost his legs and an arm to meningitis, then through Shildon, Middridge, Newton Aycliffe to Darlington and Stockton.

In Middlesbrough, Chloe Meehan, 17, carried the flame into Centre Square, launching an evening celebration of music and dance.

The teenager, was nominated for work representing the town as a gold young ambassador.

Although the torch moves on this week, it leaves behind a legacy of excitement and anticipation for the London Games, which are now only 39 days away.