Television presenters Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood are heading to Newham to broadcast Blue Peter’s Big Olympic Tour programme.

Television presenters Helen Skelton and Barney Harwood are heading to Newham to broadcast Blue Peter’s Big Olympic Tour programme.

Their live show on July 21 in Central Park, High Street South, East Ham, precedes the arrival of the Olympic Torch into the park.

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: “I am really looking forward to welcoming Blue Peter to the Mayor’s Newham Show. It will really help get our party started as we welcome the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to our borough.”

After the live TV show on July 21, and also on July 22 there will be free fun-packed activities for families. Young people can try out a range of Olympic sports, go back in time to discover the history of the Olympic Games, have a go at being a sports commentator and lots more.

Families can visit Blue Peter’s Big Olympic Tour events on both days between 9:30am and 6pm on July 21 and 12 noon and 6pm on July 22. They are free to attend and no tickets are required.

There are some opportunities for young people to be part of the live Saturday TV show – tickets are required to be in the audience and more details are available on the Blue Peter website at www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter

The Olympic torch will arrive in Newham on July 21 at 10.40am on the Woolwich Ferry. Torchbearers will carry it from North Woolwich to Central Park, East Ham, before travelling to Westfield Stratford City and along High Street, Stratford.

When it arrives at the Mayor’s Newham Show at 11.15am it will be met by a 180-strong choir made up of young musicians from every school in Newham. Their performance will reflect the Olympic ideals of celebration, friendship and national pride and be followed by a variety of local acts showcasing the very best of Newham talent.

More than 2,000 children in the annual Mayor’s Newham Carnival will follow the flame as it exits Central Park.

In addition to activity at the Mayor’s Newham Show, other key places to view the torch will be Green Street in Upton Park and Meridian Square, Theatre Square and The Grove in Stratford.

Added the Mayor: “This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime occasion and I hope as many residents as possible will join us in welcoming the Olympic Torch Relay to our borough.”

For more details about the two-day Mayor’s Newham Show visit the Newham Council website at www.newham.gov.uk