THE Olympic torch relay was a major success as it travelled through East Lancashire today with thousands of people lining the streets.

Large crowds of people, who stayed dry after torrential downpours last night, turned out to cheer the Olympic torch through the area.

The torch has now left the area after passing through Blackburn, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Burnley Crawshawbooth and Rawtenstall before heading to Greater Manchester.

The torch has now completed its leg through Blackburn, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington and Burnley. Youngsters from St Christopher's High School have complete a leg as torch bearers.

The torch had a lunch break in Burnley at the Mechanics in the town centre after it made its way through Accrington Road, Westway and Trafalgar Street.

The torch has been through Crawshawbooth, where Callum Flynn, 17, has completed his leg a the torch bearer. The teenager was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) on his 14th birthday.

The first torch bearer in Burnley was the famous director of 'Bend it Like Beckham', Gurinder Chadha OBE. The 52-year-old directed Bend It Like Beckham in 2002.

In Oswaldtwistle large crowds have seen Cameron Watters, 13, from Bolton, carry the torch before handing over to Alice Martindale, 17, from Nelson, who helps with community sessions and a disability club.

One of the day's youngest runners, 12-year-old Matthew Donnelly, from Bury, has earlier completed his run in Preston New Road, Blackburn.

Rosie Hollis completed her run as crowds cheered her name as she approached King William Street in Blackburn.

Busy scenes in Blackburn town centre with crowds four or five people deep in places to catch a glimpse of the torch.

Children have been waving their flags with excitement.

After yesterday's torrential downpours there is expected to be more rain today but so far the downopours have held off.

The torch will take around four hours to travel through East Lancashire after arriving in Blackburn at 9.15am at Westholme School in Preston New Road before heading into the town centre for around 9.30am.

It travels through Blackburn, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Burnley, Crawshawbooth and Rawtenstall.