Olympic Torch to Arrive in London

The Olympic torch is due to arrive in London from St Petersberg as part of its journey to the Beijing 2008 games.

On Sunday 80 athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will carry the torch by relay on a 31-mile long journey through the capital's streets.

But activists critical of the Chinese government have vowed to stage protests along the route of the procession.

The Metropolitan Police said that 2,000 officers would be mobilised to maintain order along the route of the relay.

A spokesman said Scotland Yard had heard from six organisations, including the Free Tibet movement, the Falun Gong spiritual group and the Burma campaign, which were planning to send a total of up to 500 demonstrators.

Tim Henman, Kelly Holmes and Kevin Pietersen will be among the 80 torch bearers named on Thursday and it will be carried 31 miles through 10 London boroughs.

But Comedian Francesca Martinez pulled out after she decided that talking part would legitimise the Chinese government's role in Tibet.

The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, on Sunday and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing games opening ceremony on 8 August.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will welcome the torch outside 10 Downing Street.