THE Olympic flame will be flying in south Essex, and you can see it in your town.

On July 6, the flame will begin its tour of the county, with it passing through Rayleigh, Southend, Hadleigh and Basildon to give residents a glimpse of the iconic beacon of Olympic spirit.

The torch’s route through Essex starts in Colchester before travelling to Hatfield Peverel, Heybridge and Maldon before arriving in south Essex.

After passing through Rayleigh, Southend, Hadleigh, Basildon and Grays, it will continue through Herongate and Brentwood before stopping overnight in Chelmsford, where a Sparks will Fly festival takes place in Hylands Park.

The next morning, on July 7, it will travel through Harlow, Waltham Abbey, Stansted Mount-fitchet, Newport, and Saffron Walden.

An average 115 torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic flame during its 8,000-mile journey around Britain, before it arrives in time for the opening ceremony of the Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, on July 27.

It will then be used to for the lighting of the cauldron, signifying the start of the Games.