DORSET is gearing up to welcome the Olympic torch as the relay reaches Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.

The torch will approach the county town from the west on Thursday, making an appearance in Puddletown before being carried along High West Street in Dorchester.

Business owners in the town have been working together to get the area looking its best, with volunteers braving the weekend’s challenging weather to hang 170 flags representing different countries along the road.

Town councillor David Taylor said he hopes to see up to 200 flags flying by the time the Olympic Games begin. He added: “We are getting Dorchester ready to welcome the world.”

The torch will continue to Bridport and Lyme Regis, before turning around to travel along the coast road, through Abbotsbury and Portesham, where the communities have been decorating the route, to Weymouth.

It is due to reach Weymouth Beach at 7.20pm on Thursday, where an explosive evening of celebrations is planned. Community celebrations on Portland are set to continue the festive atmosphere on Friday, when the torch will begin its second day in the area just after 7am at Portland Bill.

It will travel through Southwell, Easton and Fortuneswell, before returning to Weymouth. From there, it will continue to Osmington.

Torchbearer Di Ludlow, who is due to carry the torch through Weymouth, said she could not believe the week of the relay has finally arrived. Mrs Ludlow will carry the torch in memory of her husband, Bill, who died in 2008.

Mr Ludlow is credited with helping to bring the Olympic Sailing events to the area, through his work in establishing the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Mrs Ludlow added: “I hope, when I am carrying the torch, that the people watching will remember Bill.”

For more information visit www.dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012/events/olympic-torch-relay

The route for Thursday July 12

07:49 Salisbury

CONVOY: Salisbury - Wilton

08:22 Wilton

CONVOY: Wilton - Barford St Martin

08:46 Barford St Martin

CONVOY: Barford St Martin - Fovant

08:59 Fovant

CONVOY: Fovant - Ludwell

09:21 Ludwell

CONVOY: Ludwell - Shaftesbury

09:32 Shaftesbury

CONVOY: Shaftesbury - Fontmell Magna

10:17 Fontmell Magna

CONVOY: Fontmell Magna - Iwerne Minster

10:27 Iwerne Minster

CONVOY: Iwerne Minster - Stourpaine

11:04 Stourpaine

CONVOY: Stourpaine - Blandford Forum

11:13 Blandford Forum

CONVOY: Blandford Forum - Winterborne Whitechurch

12:06 Winterborne Whitechurch

CONVOY: Winterborne Whitechurch - Milborne St Andrew

12:17 Milborne St Andrew

CONVOY: Milborne St Andrew - Puddletown

12:30 Puddletown

CONVOY: Puddletown - Dorchester

13:49 Dorchester

CONVOY: Dorchester - Winterbourne Abbas

14:25 Winterbourne Abbas

CONVOY: Winterbourne Abbas - Bridport

14:46 Bridport

CONVOY: Bridport - Chideock

15:13 Chideock

CONVOY: Chideock - Lyme Regis

15:35 Lyme Regis

CONVOY: Lyme Regis - Burton Bradstock

16:52 Burton Bradstock

CONVOY: Burton Bradstock - Abbotsbury

17:13 Abbotsbury

CONVOY: Abbotsbury - Portesham

17:26 Portesham

CONVOY: Portesham - Chickerell

17:41 Chickerell

18:14 Wyke Regis

CONVOY: Wyke Regis - Osprey Quay, Portland

18:42 Osprey Quay, Portland

18:50 WPNSA and Boat transfer

19.20 Weymouth Beach Evening Celebration