Dagenham Town Show: crowds await torchbearers Diversity: Pictures by Sara Odeen Isbister

More than a thousand people are expected to see members of dance troupe Diversity bring the Olympic Flame into Central Park, Dagenham, on the 60th anniversary of the Dagenham Town Show.

Jon Goodman and son George wait to see Diversity arrive with Olympic Flame at the Dagenham Town Show

Several hundred people are starting to line the route, with about an hour to go before the Britain’s Got Talent winners, who are from the borough, enter Central Park.

Earlier the Flame passed through Barking Park and Mayesbrook Park, before heading along the Heathway, taking in several roads through Barking and Dagenham.

Jon Goodman, of Stevens Road, Dagenham, is at the Town Show with his two-year-old son George. He said: “We got here at 9.30. I’m really excited about seeing it (Olympic Flame) and being part of it all.

“I love the Olympics and can’t wait until it all starts.

“George probably won’t remember this but he’ll be able to say he was part of it.”

Millie Du-Lieu, 10, of Havering, said: “I can’t wait to see the torch and Diversity. Am really looking forward to the Olympics.”

Pensioners Iris Patience, of Valence Gardens, Dagenham, added: “My daughter came from Great Yarmouth to see this. We’re really looking forward to it. I am sad it’s the last Town Show though.”

This weekend’s Dagenham Town Show is expected to be the last council-funded show due to budget restrictions from government austerity measures.

The Flame is due at Central Park at about 11.45am when Diversity will bring it on stage. It is expected to exit the borough via London Road at 1.14pm as it carries on it’s journey to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Soul singer Lemar and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford are headline acts for today. Yesterday ‘60s legends The Hollies turned back time with some of their classic tracks.

Read our 8 to 10 page special report on the Dagenham Town Show and Olympic Torch relay in the Barking and Dagenham Post this Wednesday, Also get a free 64-page Streets of Gold supplement to celebrate the Summer Olympics.