London 2012 Olympic torch journey begins – in pictures

Nick Clegg jokes with David Beckham and Sebastian Coe, but Princess Anne doesn't appear to be that amused Photograph: Carl Court/AFP

David Beckham lights the torchf before it is handed over for its 8,000-mile journey Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

A police officer watches the flame onboard a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter as it makes its way to Land's End for the start of the torch relay Photograph: Ben Bichall/LOCOG//PA

Lieutenant commander Richie Full disembarks from the helicopter with flame intact Photograph: Karel Prinsloo/EPA

Ainslie holds the Olympic torch as it is lit from the flame held by Full. Ainslie said: 'Initially when the gas canister was full up it was a bit hairy. It nearly singed my eyebrows. It was pumping out a big flame because there was a decent breeze.' Photograph: Chris Radburn/LOCOG/PA

Devon and Cornwall police said around 3,500 people were at Land's End to see the start of the relay Photograph: Tal Cohen/EPA

Ainslie handed the torch over to the local surf champion Anastassia Swallow Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Eric Smith carrying the Olympic torch during the first leg of the torch relay between Land's End and Sennon Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

Henry Hocking carries the Olympic torch between Newlyn and Marazion Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

Andrew Marston carrying the Olympic torch during the leg of the torch relay between Newlyn and Marazion Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

Nicole Martin carrying the Olympic torch during the leg of the torch relay between Rosudgeon and Helston Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

Olympic torch bearer Sarah Blight holds it high on the beach near St Michael's Mount in Cornwall Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

Johanna Dickinson waves as she leaves the beach at Marazion, Cornwall, England Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Claire Spargo-Williams carries the Olympic flame on the leg between Falmouth and Truro Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

Locals greet Kenneth Johnson as he carries the Olympic torch on the leg between St Stephen and St Austell Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

The Olympic torch reaches Falmouth Photograph: University College Falmouth/Rex

British table tennis player Vicki Smith carries the Olympic torch Photograph: Steven Paston/Action Images

Georgia Doyle-Lay carries the torch through Newquay Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

TV presenter Ben Fogle with the Olympic torch at the Eden Project near Bodelva, Cornwall Photograph: Chris Radburn/LOCOG/PA