Hours before the Olympic torch was due to arrive in Sutton, excitement was already building.

Crowds were putting out deckchairs, and hanging up bunting in Sutton Common Road, as the first party of the day kicked off at the Sutton Life Centre at 11am.

Expectation increased and crowds continued to gather as torchbearers, including BBC presenter sue Barker, arrived at the centre waiting to be picked up by the relay for their legs of the tour.

Meanwhile in Carshalton, temperatures hit 27 degrees as thousands of spectators turned out along Carshalton High Street and the ponds to greet the torch relay.

Among those cheered on by the crowds were inspirational teenage swimmer Lauren Sullivan.

Council estimates were that 5,000 people lined the streets of the town centre to greet the torchbearers, with another 10,000 visiting Sutton High Street.

While official police figures showed a staggering 45,000 to 50,000 spectators saw the torch head through Sutton.

Crowds were entertained in Carshalton by performers on a swan stage that took a team of eight several months to build.

Among those to perform were the All Saints Primary School Choir who gave up the first day of their school holiday to perform.

The Gary Mason drummers also performed.

The bird shaped stage had a knitted swan companion that was created by the borough's mystery yarnbombers - the Wooley Coven of Carshalton.

Festivities continued long in to the afternoon, with the streets, pubs and parks rammed with residents enjoying the fine weather and the carnival atmosphere.

Thousands of people then flooded the streets from the Life Centre to Rosehill to watch the final leg of the torch’s journey through Sutton.

Blind torchbearer John Dawson took the torch in St Helier, running alongside his wife.

Outside the Life Centre at the junction on Sutton Common Road and Oldfields Road was teeming with crowds so big the police had to keep spectators out of the way as the torch came through.

We Will Rock You was blaring out from the speakers and cheering and whistles filled the air.