THE Olympic torch will spend a night in Bournemouth during an 8,000-mile journey around the UK next year.

Bournemouth will host the torch on Friday, July 13, 2012 – just two weeks before the opening of the London Games.

The resort is one of 66 locations in which the torch will stay overnight, and Bournemouth council says it has “dazzling” celebrations planned for the event.

Double Olympic gold medallist, and chair of the London 2012 organising committee, Sebastian Coe, said he was thrilled that Bournemouth had agreed to host the torch.

“The Olympic flame will shine a light right across the town, celebrating the culture and heritage of the area and showcasing the very best of Bournemouth,” said Lord Coe.

The torch will arrive from Greece on Friday, May 18, 2012 and call at 70 locations on its journey from Lands End to the outer Hebrides, finishing at the Olympic stadium in London on Friday, July 27, 2012.

A detailed daily route will be confirmed later this year, but the committee is aiming for 95 per cent of the population to be within one hour of the route.

On most days, the Olympic flame will travel for 12 hours each day, ending in an evening celebration event.

Council leader, Cllr Peter Charon, pledged that Bournemouth would welcome the torch in “breathtaking style”.

“We want to involve Bournemouth’s communities in staging a fabulous evening event, and will be looking for inspiration from them on how to showcase the town’s amazing diversity and unique warmth – all in true Olympic spirit,” he said.

The welcome given by residents to five million visitors each year, and experience gained by tourism bosses from hosting the UK’s largest free air festival would all boost the celebrations, he added.