BEVERLEY has won its fight to be part of the Olympic Torch relay next year.

Town mayor Peter Astell and Beverley and Holderness MP

Graham Stuart campaigned to make sure the town did not miss out.

Today the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was due to announce the torch will pass through Beverley and Bridlington on June 18 as it heads for an overnight stay in Hull.

The next day it will go through Brough and Goole before heading to York. Organisers made a point of including a stop at the Humber Bridge.

East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby said: “To witness the Olympic Torch relay in the East Riding is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and, as well as passing through several towns, it is fitting that it should pass by the iconic symbol of our area, the Humber Bridge.

“The relay will give residents and visitors the chance to celebrate and share in the Olympic spirit, mark the countdown to the start of the games and also support those

members of the community chosen to run with the Olympic Flame.”

Mr Astell said: “We’re over the moon that Beverley has been included.

“It’s terrific that the torch will be coming through Beverley and it would be great if people from places the torch is not passing through could come here to see it.

“We will never see another Olympics. It’s a time to get involved and celebrate our sporting life.”

The mayor and Mr Stuart both wrote to the organisers asking that the torch go through the area.

Mr Astell’s campaign was strongly supported by shops in Beverley, many of whom put posters up supporting the bid.

In June, TV sports presenter Gabby Logan, on a visit to Bishop Burton College, added her voice to the campaign.

She said: “This place is all about committing yourself to doing well and achieving, and that’s what the Olympic spirit is all about.

“I think the marriage of the college as a training base and the torch coming through would demonstrate those Olympic values perfectly.”

Olympic organisers are keen to involve as many regions as possible in an event that will be centred largely in London.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the Olympic committee, said: “We are thrilled to confirm the Olympic Flame will be visiting the Humber Bridge as part of its journey around the UK. We have worked hard to devise a route that achieves the optimum mix of proximity to people while taking in the diversity of the UK’s landscape and landmarks. By taking in the Humber Bridge, we are doing just that.”

The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall, on May 19. It will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK.

The street by street detail of the route will be confirmed next year.

People can view the interactive map at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap to find their nearest community through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.