THE Olympic torch will be passing through West Fife in the run-up to the London games next summer.

On Wednesday 13th June the torch will go through Cairneyhill, Crossford and Dunfermline on its way to Edinburgh for celebrations that night.

The 8000-mile route around the UK was announced this week and it is estimated that 95 per cent of the population will live within a ten-mile radius of the torch.

Fife Provost Frances Melville said, "We can't wait to welcome the Olympic torch to Fife.

"Not only will this event give people a chance to celebrate the countdown to the start of the games it will highlight once again that Fife is a great place to live, work and visit.

"Fife Council is encouraging and supporting Fifers to organise their own ways to celebrate and share the Olympic spirit and will be getting in touch with communities and schools in the new year to find out about their plans." Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said, "I think we should make the most of this opportunity to promote our area.

"I would think local people like Andy Young, a former boxer who does so much good work for the community in Blairhall and Davy Fox, the athletics coach, would be good candidates to carry the torch in the villages.

"This could be seen as good preparations ahead of the Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland in 2014." Local councillor Gerry McMullan said, "I'm delighted that the torch is coming through the villages then into Dunfermline.

"I'm sure it will be a great occasion and a once in a lifetime thing really. I'm sure people in Cairneyhill and Crossford will make the most of the day.

"It will be a great day to get the youngsters involved." Lord Sebastian Coe, chair of the London games organisers, said, "We are thrilled to confirm that communities in Fife will act as host locations for the Olympic flame and extend an invitation to people in Fife to welcome the Olympic torch relay during its journey around the UK.

"This is the UK's moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Fife to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational torchbearers."