The people of Wiltshire are being urged to join in with celebrations as the Olympic torch passes through their communities.

Millions of people across the country are expected to witness the torch’s journey across Britain.

In Wiltshire it will make its appearance on May 22, firstly in the west when it heads through Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon, but it will then be showcased in Chippenham, Calne, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Torchbearers have been selected from towns and villages across Wiltshire to run with the torch but Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott is encouraging residents to become spectators and to make the most of the mementous occasion.

She said: “This is an historic moment for Wiltshire and we are thrilled and proud that the Olympic flame is passing through many of our local communities. This will create a lasting legacy for our county.

“We want people across the county to celebrate and experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I have spoken to lots of local people across Wiltshire and they are eager to use it as an opportunity to celebrate their communities and all that they have to offer.”

On Wednesday, May 23 – day five of its tour of Britain – the Olympic torch will arrive in Chippenham at 9.46am on Bristol Road before heading along Marshfield Road, Park Lane, New Road, the High Street, Market Place, The Causeway and London Road.

It will then get back into a convoy on London Road at 10.16am to be driven to Calne, arriving at Curzon Sreet at 10.45am.

The torch will then be heading along New Road, London Road, Wessington Avenue and on to the A4.

By 11.25am it will arrive in Marlborough on Bath Road.

It will then be carried along High Street, New Road, Barn Street and Herd Street at 11.44am.

Royal Wootton Bassett will see its arrival in Noremarsh Road at 12.32pm, followed by Station Road and the High Street At 12.47pm it will leave the county.

The tour then continues around the country before it swings back round and into Wiltshire again on July 11 when it will go through Ludgershall, Tidsworth, Amesbury, The Winterbournes, Salisbury, Wilton, Fovant and Ludwell.

Its arrival in Salisbury for an overnight stay will culminate on July 11 in a major event in Hudson Fields, where up to 30,000 Wiltshire people are expected to come together to watch an afternoon and evening of on-stage performances.