Huge crowds gather to welcome Olympic Torch

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, joined huge crowds at the Madejski Stadium yesterday and in Theale today to welcome the Olympic Torch as it passed through the town.

Thousands of people gathered in the Madejski Stadium for the lighting of a cauldron where the flame would stay overnight. Spectators were treated to entertainment by a range of acts including rock band 'Young Guns'.

The final torch bearer on the 10 July was Quentin Gunderson, head teacher at charity-run school the Reading TLG Centre.

Speaking after the event at the Madejski Stadium Alok Sharma said: "It was a great event and all those of us who know and admire Quentin Gunderson for all his work at the education charity TLG Reading, were incredibly proud when he carried the torch into the stadium to light the cauldron which housed the flame overnight."

Alok continued: "The London Olympics are building up to be a great national and international celebration. We have shown beyond doubt that Britain is competent in delivering projects of Olympic size on time and under budget, without sacrificing quality, greatly enhancing our national reputation."

Alok concluded: "In Beijing, Team GB came a very respectable fourth in the medal tally for both the total number of medals but also in terms of the number of gold medals won. With a lot more of our home grown talent taking part this year, the expectations for a very decent medal haul are high. For those lucky enough to get tickets it will be a remarkable and unforgettable experience attending the games. The rest of us will have to make do with the television coverage. Either way, it should be an excellent summer of sport."