THE Olympic flame will be bringing together the young and the old when it arrives in Weymouth and Portland on July 12 next year.

The date has been announced by the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) along with the first 74 locations of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route.

For retired police constable Alfred Barrett, 90, of Dorchester, the event will bring back poignant memories as he can clearly recall the day he carried the Olympic torch in 1948, at the last home Games.

Mr Barrett, who was 27 years old at the time, was chosen along with his fellow Dorset Constable Athletic Club member – the late Sergeant Kenneth Pearce – to carry the flame on a two-mile leg through Shaftesbury, as it travelled from White City in London to Torbay, Devon.

He said: “It was a great honour really and a very exciting experience, particularly because it was at night time and we saw the flame approaching us.”

Mr Barrett still owns a replica torch, which all torchbearers were presented with at the Games in 1948, inscribed with the words ‘XIVth Olympiad 1948. Olympia to London with thanks to the bearer.’ He added: “It’s one of my most prized possessions, it will always be a treasured memory.”

While six-year-old Amy Pommells, of Portland, is looking forward to playing a key role in the forthcoming event because she was born on December 20 – 20/12 – and in 2004, the year London made its bid.

This has made her part of the national Children’s Promise scheme.

Her mum Kay Pommells, aged 37, of The Grove, said: “When we first registered Amy we thought she would be taking part in the opening ceremony but we’ve now had an email to say she’s part of the torch relay.

“It’s a lovely opportunity for her, she’s very excited about it.

“Having the sailing events in Weymouth and Portland makes it extra special because she can actually see it first hand, almost from her window.”

The search has now begun for 8,000 inspirational people to carry the Olympic flame.

LOCOG has launched its Moment to Shine public nomination campaign and is inviting the UK public to nominate inspirational people to have their story celebrated in the run up to the start of the 2012 Games.

Young people in particular are encouraged to get involved, with half of the total number of torchbearer places expected to go to people aged between 12 and 24 years of age who are considered leading lights in their communities.

To nominate a Torchbearer through the LOCOG programme go to www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay The deadline is 11.59pm, June 29, 2011.