Tea was brewed, bunting was hung and the torch was given a traditional British welcome to Wrentham.

The torch cascaded through the quaint village where people had brought chairs out on the verges to sit and watch the torch go by.

The flame was carried by Debbie Cadman, 48, from Ipswich, Ian Beasy, 46, from North Walsham, James Shiplee, 20, from Bungay and Paul Sheldrake, 57, from Westerfield.

Barbara Walliker, who lives in the village, invited friends to see the torch relay and for a barbecue.

She said: 'It's a special occasion and it's nice to see. It's something we will not see again in our lifetime and it's great that it is going right past our front door.'

Jely and James Weedon from Metfield, brought their children Ella, eight, Flora, seven and Percy, two, to see the torch.

Mrs Weedon said: 'There has been a lot of excitement surrounding the torch. The girls have been talking about it a lot in school.

'It's a one-off event and we probably won't see it again.'

The torchbearers were greeted with cheers and applause as they enjoyed their moment in the spotlight.

Alan Catchpole from Kessingland said: 'The procession was a lot more than I thought it was going to be - there was a lot of vehicles. It was more of a carnival atmosphere.

'It's a travesty that it was not held in Kessingland but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.'

Jenni Mickelborough travelled from Worlingham with her four-year-old son, Henry, to catch a glimpse of the flame.

'Henry was overwhelmed by the whole event - there was a terrific atmosphere.

'Henry has been really excited about it and he knows that it has come all the way from Greece and is on its way to London,' she said.