The flags came out in Dartmouth to welcome the Olympic torch and so did the people... in their thousands.

Residents and visitors began gathering around the town centre as early as 10am – more than an hour ahead of the expected Olympic flame convoy.

And by the time the torchbearers began their run and walk through Dartmouth the crowds were nine deep beside the town centre roads.

Some had climbed trees along the embankment to get a better view while others manned the first-floor windows along the route of the flame to ensure a glimpse of the torch holder.

And that meant a dream come true for 13-year-old schoolgirl Georgia Lock who gave her home town a torch- running treat.

She took on the first leg of the Dartmouth section of the torch relay from the academy to College Way – cheered on by hundreds of friends, family, fellow students and residents.

'It was amazing,' Georgia said. 'The crowds were really nice and cheered me the whole way. I am so glad I am going to be keeping the torch to remember this brilliant day.'

Dartmouth kept its dance promise to provide a Zumba welcome to the flame as it was carried past Coronation Park while members of the Dartmouth Rowing Club, Dartmouth Gig Club and Kingswear Rowing Club provided a line of oars to greet the torch beside the North Embankment.

Joint tourist information centre manager Sue Stone said: 'It was just like regatta. It was massive. People were out with their flags flying. It was a really good atmosphere.'

Also carrying the torch through Dartmouth was blind Exeter artist Barrie Goodfellow who was greeted by the dense crowds around the Boatfloat area as he arrived with his guide dog Marshall.

A small exhibition of Barrie's work can be seen at Baxter's Gallery, Foss Street, Dartmouth, until May 25.

Barrie said: 'It is a great honour to be given the privilege of carrying the Olympic torch for something I simply enjoy which is helping others.'

The torch arrived in Dartmouth at around 11.30am – preceeded by a convoy of sponsors' coaches as Samsung, Coca Cola and Lloyds/TSB sent in their warm up entertainers to get the crowds on their feet and cheering ahead of the torch bearers.

That morning all the torch bearers had gathered in the town's tourist information centre to be give a run down of their 'duties' for the day – and get to grips for the frirst time with their Olympic torches.

Sue Stone and fellow tourist information centre manager Lesley Turner started work as early as 8.15am sorting out tea, coffee and cookies for the torchbearers as they were given a lesson on how to carry the torch and how to carry out the torch 'kiss' – joining torches to pass on the flame.

'They were really excited. They were nervious but they were really looking forward to it. So were we. We were both surprised at just how excited we got,' said Sue.

The Dartmouth leg of the Olympic torch's route was part of the run between Plymouth and Torquay – the second day of its journey around the UK.

The turnout for the Dartmouth visit – the longest section of the whole of the South Hams route – was typical of the weclome the torch had been getting from its Land's End start point.

Just before its arrival in Dartmouth the flame had passed through the village of Stoke Fleming where villagers lined the streets decked with flags and bunting and the torch bearers were greeted by applause – and the Stoke Fleming Primary School samba band.

The village had also laid on dance workshops as part of the celebrations.

Sally Sharp, head of teaching and learning at the school, was delighted with the turn out of children and families. She said: 'We are so pleased the flame came right through the village and we celebrated in true Stoke Fleming Primary School style with our samba band. It was definitely a day to remember.'

After young Georgia's torchbearer run, mum Sarah said: 'We are so proud of her. She was overwhelmed by the reaction to her run. People asked for her autograph and wanted to be photographed with her.

'Georgia is such an amazing girl, everyone came out to support her and made it a truly amazing day.

'I know a number of people, including me, shed a tear. It was just perfect for her and our feelings are hard to put into words.

'We are so grateful to everyone in Dartmouth who helped make Georgia's day so special.'

Mayor Paul Allen was a guest at the BRNC where the torch convoy stopped for lunch. 'It was absolutely superb,' he said. 'There was a bit of razzmatazz ahead of the torch which really raised the excitement. I have never known anything like it.

'The town was absolutely packed. It seemed like there was standing-room only and the weather was absolutely wonderful. It really did have everything going for it.

'The people were happy and cheering.

'I have never been to such an event before.'

Devon and Cornwall Police assistant chief constable Paul Netherton said more than 270,000 people turned out to watch the Olympic torch's progress across the two counties over two days.

The top cop, the man in charge of ensuring the safety of the torch convoy said: 'The response from local communities has been overwhelmingly positive to the policing of the event.'