An estimate 200,000 lined every street of the Olympic torch route as it travelled through the borough.

Every patch of pavement was filled almost an hour before the torch was due in Upper Norwood, and when Croydon girl Amy Terriere appeared with the torch ready to take the flame from Bromley into the borough police had to be quickly on hand to prevent the 35 year-old being mobbed.

Amanda and Samantha Hardy had travelled up with their children and friends to enjoy the Crystal Palace sunshine from Coulsdon.

Amanda said: “It is an amazing day out for them this is something they can say they’ve done, and afterwards of course we can go to the ark in the sunshine.”

Waiting on every corner were hordes of flag waving fans, including a huge turnout for Korfball fan Joanthan Dean.

His three daughters, Kathy, 25, Emily, 21, and Beccy, 23, who nominated her father were delighted.

Beccy, clutching an emu hand-puppet, apparently Mr Dean’s favourite, said: “We are so proud, it is just amazing to be out here watching him do this.”

With the schools out, children of all ages lined up to watch the historic moment with many chasing the procession as it snaked through a packed Thornton Heath The next huge cheer of the day went up for athletics coach Mike Fleet who took the torch on London Road.

Chants of ‘There is only one Mike Fleet’ rang out as the 74-year-old took the flame, with former athletes and coaches who worked with him turning out in force.

Kevin Cook, who worked with him, said: “He is just a legend. I’m so pleased I got to see him and his moment.”

There was further excitement when Mr Fleet passed onto fellow Croydon resident Abbe Stapleton with a loud announcer shouting encouragement for the Oasis charity worker from the rooftops.

With the torch arriving in North End, the crush and excitement reached fever pitch before the procession carried onto the High Street and out onto the Croydon Flyover.