Thousands of people descended on fields near Old Sarum in Salisbury for an Olympics-themed gala today.

Performers from across the county were showing off their talents to the crowds ahead of the arrival of the Olympic Torch relay today.

Father-of-two Will Stevenson, from Burbage, was due to carry the torch at 4.40pm as it passed through Andover on its way to Salisbury, where 12-year-old Pewsey Vale School pupil Gemma Bawcutt was due to take up the mantle on a leg through the city at 6.35pm.

The day’s events, organised by Wiltshire Council, were the culmination of a year of hard work and preparations for Wiltshire’s celebration of the Olympics, which begin in two weeks time.

Five north Wiltshire acts were entertaining festival-goers from a specially-built stage at Hudson’s Field.

Representing Devizes was the duo Jemma Barnes and Terésa Bray, who together make up the Classical Songbirds and were looking forward to the big occasion.

Solo artist Benji Clements was representing Calne, while 12-year-old musician Luke Gittins, from Chippenham, was the youngest act set to perform.

Corsham-born Revolution! The Musical was giving the audience a 15-minute glimpse into what the show has to offer ahead of its international premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

Royal Wootton Bassett might not immediately conjure up images of an Indie pop band but the town’s resident group Nudybronque were due to bring a vibrant 20-minute stint to the stage.

Big name performers including rapper Wretch 32 and Britain’s Got Talent dance act Twist and Pulse were getting the evening party fired up.

They were being quickly followed by the arrival of the Olympic torch at 6.50pm with a cauldron being lit on stage.

The party was expected to reach fever pitch when classic ABBA songs were performed by tribute band Bjorn Again.

An impressive fireworks display over Old Sarum were bringing the event to a close.

Tomorrow, at 7.55am, 17-year-old William Copp, a sixth form student at St John’s School, Marlborough and a member of the Wiltshire wheelchair basketball squad, was due to carry the Olympic torch as it began its journey out of Salisbury.