The Olympic flag was raised today to mark Great Yarmouth’s part in the games.

Two torchbearers - 79-year-old Betty Brown from Filby and Rob Sanderson, 24, from Cobholm - raised the flag outside Great Yarmouth Town Hall at midday.

The torchbearers, along with leader of the council Trevor Wainwright, Mayor Colleen Walker and culture, sport and leisure manager for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Marie Hartley, raised the white flag bearing the London 2012 logo.

Betty said: “I was nominated to carry the torch by my carer, Ann Hale, who has been with me for 25 years. I am very excited and looking forward to carrying the torch on Thursday.

“Raising the flag is important - hopefully people will take notice. It’s something that is never going to happen again in my lifetime.

“I am getting excited about it now - it really is an honour to have been chosen.”

Rob said: “It’s the final step before the relay on Thursday.

“I’m really looking forward to it - I will be carrying it on Fullers Hill and through the Marketplace - I’m really looking forward to it.”

Colleen Walker said: “The armed forces came down and the Olympic flag went up. I hope all of the torchbearers have a wonderful day.

“Raising the flag marks the start of the Olympics (in the borough). It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Final preparations are underway in Filby, where the flame will be carried before it reaches Great Yarmouth on Thursday.

Postmaster David Thompson raised the flag on Filby playing field.

His son, Adrian, said: “We have also got bunting from one end of the village to the other. The torch is coming to Filby quite early in the day and the children from Filby primary school are holding their sports day on the field after the torch has been through.”