Doing this three times allows the torch to run for up to 12 minutes.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

He said staff had spoken to him expressing their disappointment that they were making the torch but would not see it "run out" in their area.

BBC: London 2012: Torch makers "disappointed" with route

The Isle of Man will host the Olympic torch on 2 June next year as it journeys across the British Isles in the run-up to the Games in London.

BBC: Isle of Man to host Olympic torch in June 2012

Its "rainbow run", like the Olympics' torch relay, carries a rainbow flag through many of the games' participating cities.

BBC: The Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany

The large-scale event will include musical performances, a fire ceremony and torch run.

BBC: Maya festivals for the end of time