London 2012 Olympic torch relay: day 49 – in pictures

Doves take flight from a basket as British athlete Emily Rogers holds the Olympic flame at Christchurch Mansion in Suffolk at the beginning of Day 49 of the torch relay Photograph: Danny Lawson/LOCOG/PA

Torchbearer Michelle Strydom takes the flame through a rain-splattered Colchester Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Former Olympic sailor Keith Musto bears the torch in Colchester Photograph: LOCOG via Getty Images

Torchbearer Abigail Whitefield carries the flame as the rain continues over Colchester Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Torchbearer Helen Jewell laughs as she carries the flame between Hatfield Peverel and Maldon Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Torchbearer and Beijing Olympic Samsung Ambassador Ming Dong carries the flame between Rayleigh and Southend-on-Sea Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Olympic swimmer Mark Foster carries the flame through the centre of Southend Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Torchbearer Sonia Richards runs with the flame along the seafront at Southend-on-Sea Photograph: Yui Mok/LOCOG/PA

Torchbearer Gemma Flaxman runs through the rain in Southend-on-Sea Photograph: Ben Birchall/LOCOG/PA

Torchbearer Dan Jarvis holds the flame before riding between Southend-on-Sea and Hadleigh Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Chinese actor Li Bingbing hands over the flame in Herongate Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Torchbearer Hussain Manawer carries the flame between Basildon and Grays Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Torchbearer John Bowman lights the cauldron in Chelmsford at the end of the day's torch relay. John carried the torch in memory of his wife Kirste, who was nominated for her bravery after running a marathon despite being diagnosed with breast cancer Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA