Last leg for Olympic torch

It's the final run for the Olympic torch as Londoners count down the hours to Friday evening's opening ceremony.

The torch began its day's journey at Hampton Court Palace.

After winding through the palace's hedge maze, it then boarded the royal barge Gloriana to ride down the River Thames.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON WALKING OUT OF NUMBER 10 DOWNING STREET AND SAYING:

"It is very exciting. I think there is a huge sense of excitement and anticipation because Britain is ready to welcome the greatest show on earth and it is going to be an incredible few weeks for our country. "

People all over the world were encouraged to mark the beginning of the Games by ringing any bell for three minutes at 08:12 Friday morning.

The torch will end up here, at the Olympic Stadium in east London, where enthusiastic volunteers are busy preparing for the start of the Games Saturday.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) HOCKEY ARENA VOLUNTEER PHYSIOTHERAPIST ABIGAIL WHITING SAYING:

"As we are getting closer there just seems to be more people, people are getting a bit more buzzy, everyone wants to have a look. So yeah it's starting, it is building up, it is really good. I can't believe the size of the place, it is huge and it is, it is going to be such a good atmosphere when all the spectators come in as well. It is going to be fantastic."

An estimated three million people have taken to the streets of the capital to cheer on the Olympic flame over the past week, as excitement for the beginning of the Games mounts.

Sarah Wali,

Reuters