Rain won’t dampen spirits as the Olympic torch travels through East Lancashire (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rain won’t dampen spirits as the Olympic torch travels through East Lancashire

9:00pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Blackburn

RAIN will not dampen the spirits of the Olympic torchbearers as they carry the flame through East Lancashire on Saturday.

Scattered showers are expected throughout the day, with downpours expected to be heaviest in the early afternoon.

The flame will enter Blackburn at 9.12am, passing through Accrington at 10.19am, Burnley at 11.05am, and Rawtenstall at 1.18pm.

Temperatures will reach a maximum of 14C.

Weather experts say there will be some dry spells but it is unclear whether they will hold long enough for the torch to pass through Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley and Rossendale.

Despite the outlook, relay runners say they will soak up the atmosphere.

PE teacher Natalie Williams will be leading a 10-strong group from St Christopher’s High School, along the Blackburn Road to Park Road leg of the Accrington torch relay. She said: “The weather forecast looks bad but I don’t think it will matter.”

Jonathan Taylor, running in Blackburn, said: “I think it will be a great atmosphere.”

Charlie Powell, spokesman for the Met Office, said: “The persistent rain is moving east, but there will be scattered showers.

“It’s difficult to say how long the gaps will be in between the rain, but I don’t think that it will hamper things too much.”