Monmouth welcomed the Olympic torch with open arms last Friday (25th May) as it travelled into Wales through the town.

The sun shone as thousands of people lined the streets from before 9am, clad in red white and blue, waving flags and enjoying the unique occasion.

The usual hum of traffic along Monnow Street was replaced with the buzz of excited chatter and the bustle of the crowds. Around 20,000 people were present, including roughly 6,000 children from local schools.

Warming up the spectators were the Chepstow and Usk singing group, who sang traditional choral songs with their piano accompaniment.

Also there to entertain the gatherings was the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh, along with their goat mascot.

The Widders morris dancers from the Chepstow area also performed for the crowds.

The first runner in Monmouth, and in Wales, was Gareth John MBE, who is chairman of Disability Sport Wales.

Mr John then passed the flame to Robyn Tyler, 21, who was chosen because of her inspiring recent weight-loss. Robyn said it was "absolutely amazing" to carry the torch. She then passed it over in Agincourt Square to Hazel Cave-Browne-Cave from Raglan.

Hazel had been nominated by her sister because of her charity work and her battle with breast cancer.

Kelvin Perrett, 64 from Cwmbran, was the final runner in the town, and proudly carried the torch over the iconic Monnow Bridge.

From here the torch left Monmouth and moved on to Raglan.

Daiva Ponsen, 16, from Roosendaal carried the torch through Raglan, as did 20-year-old Danielle Seivwright from Newport. Danielle is a community sports coach in Newport and was nominated because of her work inspiring disadvantaged young people in Pill.

Other Monmouthians that were chosen to run with the torch outside of their home-town included Emma King, 31 who ran in Potypool. Emma is known in Monmouth for her fundraising efforts for the Army Benevolent Fund and as captian of Monmouth Netball Club.

Mark Williamson ran in Powick; he was nominated for his work to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, running marathons around the world.

Two children from Monmouth Comprehensive School also had the honour of being handed the torch. Megan Jephcote, 14, ran through Painswick and fellow pupil George Ryley, 17, ran through Abergavenny.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and the First Minister Carwyn Jones had come to see the torch enter Wales, along with Monmouth MP David Davies, AM Nick Ramsay, Mayor Gerry Bright and other civic dignitaries. Mr Jones said: "This has been Monmouth's great hour.

"People have turned out in thousands and it is a great tribute to the town that the torch has received a warm welcome to Wales as it continues its progress".

A total of 8,000 people will carry the torch on its 8,000 mile journey around the country before the opening of the Olympic Games on 27th July.

See pages 17, 18, 39, 40, 41 and 43 of this week's Beacon for more torch relay pictures.