OLYMPIC TORCH 6pm: Sports Minister defends selection of non Sussex runners in torch relay

Mr Robertson was speaking at the briefing of the 17 torch bearers at Hastings Town Hall ahead of their run from Bexhill road to the Stade.

Earlier this year there were criticisms of the decision-making process with people from Hastings having to run up to 40 miles away, while foreigners from places like South Korea were given the chance ot run along the seafront. There have been similar complaints from other towns in Sussex with scant home representation.

Mr Robertson said, “The selection process is not an exact scienece.

“If you look at the number of people who could not run in their home towns it was quite small.”

Meanwhile as thousands of spectators poured into the sun-drenched town centre, the nerves were building as the torch bearers were briefed on what to do this evening.

One young girl even asked “What do we do if we get attacked?”

Peter Prescott, from Hastings, admitted he was expecting an emotional experience, he said. “My friends and family will all be out there.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m expecting to shed a few tears along the way.”