Dress Rehearsal for Olympic Torch Relay to pass through Rutland

Leicester has been chosen as the starting point for a dress rehearsal for the Olympic Torch Relay and on the 20th April the test convoy will travel through Melton Mowbray, Langham, Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford on its way to the finish in Peterborough.

The 80-mile route has been chosen as it represents a typical, but technically challenging day on the Relay.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog), said: "The dress rehearsal will give us the chance to test many of our operations around the Olympic Torch Relay. Test events are a vital part of our operations in preparing for all of the events that are part of the 2012 Games."

Details of the exact vehicle numbers and roads to be taken will be released by Locog and the host local authorities in March to ensure the host communities have plenty of time to plan and make arrangements for the day.

The Torches carried on the day will not be lit as the Olympic Flame is not lit until May 10.

The Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land's End, Cornwall on the morning of May 19. On leaving Land's End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them. See details of local dates.