Sutton High Street was awash with banners and flags as crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Olympic torch today. 

As many as 10,000 people were in the town centre to cheer torch carriers Jan Willem Rosingh and Thomas Rubatscher on their way.

An electric atmosphere was palpable in the hours leading up to the event as people descended on Trinity Square. 

Residents of all ages gathered from midday to see French brass band Les Grooms give a wonderfully theatrical performance.

Melanie Arnould, of Cheam Road, said: "People are having such a good time, we are so excited that the torch will be right under our noses".

Jean O Mara, 75, said after the disappointment of missing the Olympic torch in 1948, she was keen to make sure her grandchildren Olivia, 2 and Charlotte, 8, would get to see a piece of history.

She said: "I remember in 1948, in Battersea Park, there were people decorating their houses, but this feels very special. I'm so happy to be here with my family to see the torch.  It's a wonderful atmosphere."

The spurting man gave crowds a welcome shower in the blistering heat just before the torch arrived.

Thousands cheered as the procession made it's way down the high street before heading turning down St Nicholas way to met with hundreds more enthusiastic well-wishers. 

Anne Winterburn, from Cheam, said moments after the torch had passed: "It was fantastic.  We Brits really pull together when we need to don't we.  Everyone here will remember this moment, and now it's back to same old same old - waiting for the bus."

An extra 130 police from around the country were drafted in to help the day pass off smoothly.

Andy Barnes, response team sergeant based in the control centre in Sutton police station, said: "Its been a day for friendly policing."