LISKEARD and Saltash are gearing up for big celebrations on the day the Olympic Flame travels through Cornwall.

The Torch Relay will arrive in Liskeard at 6.35pm on Saturday, May 19, and at Saltash at 7.15pm.

Liskeard mayor Nick Mallard said: 'The town council hopes to provide a fun and entertaining day that will complement and build up to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic Flame pass through our town.'

At Saltash, cllr Hilary Frank who has headed the planning of the events, said she wants the community to be inspired.

'I have had plenty of help from the sports and music communities in Saltash,' she said, 'and the events on the day are all aimed at encouraging folk to lead healthy lifestyles, to join in, have fun, and to believe in what they can achieve – exactly the same feelings that drive athletes at the Olympic Games.

'Pulling everything together has taken up huge amounts of my time and energy, but chances like this won't come around again in my lifetime.'

Liskeard councillors Katrina Dawe and Steve Barrett, who have planned and spearheaded the town's events, said: 'The town council has arranged a number of events in nine different locations around Liskeard to provide entertainment throughout the day from 10am onwards.' Among the dozens of acts scheduled to appear will be those from Paulo's Americano Circus. There will also be various music acts, Zumba groups, street dancers and dance acts, children's entertainers, a magician, a ventriloquist, face painters, stunt cheerleaders and excerpts from local theatre groups.

Cllr Dawe said: 'We have made sure that in the main venues in the town, at Westbourne Gardens, a stage on The Parade, and in the grounds of Liskeard School and Community College, there will be entertainment which will both enthral and entertain the public until the torch arrives in the early evening.'

Cllr Dawe has also arranged for acts to visit care homes in Liskeard for those who are unable to attend the celebrations.

Cllr Barrett said: 'In line with the sporting nature of the day, a host of sport-orientated events are planned on the sports fields at the community school.

'Taster sessions have been arranged in tennis, badminton and archery along with drop-in competitions based on cricket, rugby and hockey, and the traditional Cornish sport of 'welly wanging'. There will be a one-mile fun run and exhibitions from Cornish wrestlers, a martial artist and the world block destruction champion.'

Cllr Barrett said there will also be a visit from Plymouth Argyle Football Club who will be providing soccer skills and a penalty shoot-out competition within a blow-up five-a-side stadium, along with a guest appearance from mascot Pilgrim Pete.

For younger visitors, there will be the Cornwall Play Bus, a funhouse, and chances to learn circus skills and create an Olympic torch. Spiderman and a friendly gorilla will be on hand throughout the day for photographs.

A hog roast and candyfloss, ice cream and popcorn sellers will complement local cafes and food outlets. A competition is under way, organised through local junior schools, to design a poster advertising the day.

At Saltash, people will be trying to set a world record for the largest number participating in a Tai Chi lesson. It is hoped that at least 1,000 people will take part in Longstone Park at 5pm.

Other features will include a 'Passport to Sport' at various venues where taster sessions will be on offer. Free passports will be available which will be stamped at each venue visited. The first 50 people to fill their passports will receive a specially-commissioned Olympic coin.

The sports on offer include canoeing, sailing and rowing, trampolining and gymnastics, bowls, climbing walls, badminton, tag rugby and tennis.

Also included on the passport is a lap of Saltmill with Saltash's own Salt Torch made by students at saltash.net Community School.

There will be many cultural festivities on a day brimming over with music and arts in Longstone Park, with local musical talent to include a 100-voice choir from primary schools, Livewire Youth Project Music Showcase, Tango Southwest accompanied by the Tango Sonoro Band, Japanese Taiko drumming and much more.

There will be a football tournament and inflatables at Saltmill, toddler games at the Waterside and an alternative games for people with limited mobility at Wesley Church.

There will be free parking in the towns all day.