There are a number of opportunities for people in the Melton and Hinckley and Bosworth areas to see the London 2012 Olympic Torch close up.

Visitors to a new discount store in Melton on Saturday 21^st July will be able to get their hands on an Olympic torch. Prestige Cosmetics, which sells everyday essentials such as food, toiletries and household goods, is opening in Sherrard Street in the premises formerly occupied by Bon Marche. Doors will open at 8.30pm for an Olympic themed day with giveaways and activities. The Olympic torch will be there from about 10am to 2pm courtesy of supplier Coca-Cola, one of the sponsors of the torch relay.

Olympic torchbearer Denise Larrad will be joining the Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth, Councilor Martin Cartwright, to celebrate the opening of the Games.

They will do this by touring Hinckley, Burbage, Barwell and Earl Shilton with the Olympic torch on Friday 27 July. Members of the public are invited to go along and see the torch as it passes through these areas. There will be photo opportunities available, for a £1.00 donation, which will go towards the Mayor's charities.

A full timetable can be found below, detailing where the route will start in each area:

• 9.30am – 10.30am, Hinckley town centre, start – Hinckley and Rugby Building Society
• 11am – 12noon, Burbage, start – St Catherine's Church
• 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Barwell, start – Barwell Co-op
• 2pm – 3pm, Earl Shilton, start – War Memorial