Intro:

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton carried the Olympic Torch on Day 52 of its journey across the United Kingdom and Ireland on Monday (9th) and received a rousing reception in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire.

Script:

Day 52 of the Olympic torch relay and Lewis Hamilton was in pole position to lead off the procession on Monday.

The 2008 Formula 1 World Champion was on stage in St. George's Square, Luton early in the morning to play his part in the preparations for London 2012.

Hundreds of locals braved the typically cold and wet British summer weather to witness the start of Monday's leg of the relay, which would make its way along a 112 mile (196 kilometres) route from Luton to Oxford, taking in 133 torchbearers.

The 27 year-old said he was honoured to be even a minor cog in the great Olympic machine:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Lewis Hamilton:
"So much effort is... through the whole nation has been put into this event which is coming up and I'm so happy that I could play even just a small part, it's a huge part for me."

A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27th July.