Champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave begins the 31-mile relay, with a heavy security escort, taking the torch out of Wembley Stadium

As it is being transferred to a waiting bus, a scuffle occurs and three Tibetan protestors are detained by police

Plenty more demonstrators line the route as the bus eventually makes its way out of the Wembley complex

The drama continues on Ladbroke Grove where another protester tries to grab the torch from former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq

As the flame approaches Notting Hill a member of the crowd discharges a fire extinguisher in an effort to put it out

With snow continuing to fall, former British number one tennis player Tim Henman takes his turn during a period of relative calm

Young British triathlete Kirsty McWilliam takes the torch onto two wheels as she cycles along the north side of Hyde Park

Popgroup Sugababes accompany the flame along Oxford Street before Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward takes it on

Fu Ying, China's ambassador to the UK, heads through Chinatown where she is greeted by more appreciative onlookers

After a pause at Trafalgar Square, Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram is given the chance to lead proceedings down Whitehall

The torch is then taken by Denise Lewis for its controversial meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street

Outside on Whitehall the scenes turn ugly again with a number of protestors breaching security cordons before being arrested

Undeterred by the scenes, Paralympic powerlifter Ali Jawad bears the flame towards Westminster

Kevin Pietersen, one of England's leading cricketers, puts in an appearance as the relay approaches the Thames

After a break at the Festival Hall, the relay resumes with Paula Radcliffe among those who take the relay eastwards

Having won Olympic javelin gold in the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984, Tessa Sanderson is invited to take the torch towards Whitechapel

Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew salutes the crowd as the procession wends its way through the Docklands area

The next major leg of the relay sees yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur take the flame by boat along the river to Greenwich

As the end of the route comes into sight, Arsenal footballer Theo Walcott is tasked with delivering the torch to its final bearer

Double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes brings an eventful relay to an end by lighting the Olympic cauldron next to the imposing O2 Arena