See here for more pictures from Saturday’s popular event

The streets of North Woolwich, Beckton and East Ham were heaving on Saturday morning and people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Torch.

Families, business owners and firefighters alike, got out the bunting in the sunshine to greet the torchbearers on their relay.

As our picture gallery (click the link at the top left) shows, the convoy attracted people from the borough and beyond.

Ron Cooper, the first torchbearer, told the Recorder he had recently recovered from a hip operation before his walk on Albert Road, North Woolwich.

“All my family were here,” he said. “I’ve had a cortisone injection.

“I didn’t think I’d make it the whole way, I thought I would go halfway on my feet.”

Graham Knight followed the torch from North Woolwich all the way up to Central Park in East Ham.

“It’s not that far,” he said. “It’s been well received across the country.”