THE OLYMPIC flame will pass through the North-East and North Yorkshire in June next year en route to the London Games.

Although the flame will arrive in the country exactly a year today it will not be until June 14 that it will reach the region on the relay to the capital.

Alnwick, Newcastle, Durham, Middlesbrough and York are among the overnight stops for the iconic flame, a traditional symbol of the Olympic movement, on its 70-day journey across the UK before the opening ceremony at the new stadium in Stratford, east London.

Around 8,000 torch bearers will be recruited take it in turn to carry the flame around 300-metres each during the nationwide tour.

Although the exact route has yet to be announced, with more details to be revealed soon, the first overnight stop in the region will be Alnwick in Northumberland, where it will be greeted with an evening of celebrations.

The Duchess of Northumberland, whose seat is at Alnwick Castle, welcomed the news, saying it might overcome some of the scepticism as to whether or not the provinces would be included in the Olympic celebration.

"I know that when the torch comes through Alnwick, the Olympic spirit will touch each and every one of us and it will be something we will remember for years to come."

Newcastle will provide the overnight stop on June 15, with new city council leader Nick Forbes describing it as, "a real boost for the city and region" which should bring benefits to the North-East economy.

Durham will stage an evening celebration culminating in a public event in the city centre to greet the torch relay on Saturday June 16.

It will then continue through several more surrounding communities the following day as it makes the next step of the journey, towards Teesside.

Welcoming Durham's involvement in the relay, county council leader Simon Henig said: "This is fantastic news and offers us another wonderful opportunity to show the world just what Durham, as a county and a city, has to offer.

"Work will now commence to plan a public event fitting to mark this once in a lifetime opportunity.

"We will also take this fabulous moment to help County Durham residents feel the Olympic spirit, wherever they live.

"There will be mass participation events, wide scale work with schools, clubs, groups and organisations.

"Messages from our inspiration young people and as many possibilities as we can offer to bring London 2012 to the hearts of people here."

Middlesbrough provides the overnight stop for Sunday June 17, with plans under way to greet the flame.

Deputy Mayor Dave Budd said: "The town has a rich sporting heritage and we are enormously proud to be playing a part in the historic 2012 Olympic Games.

"There's already a real buzz about the Games and this will add further impetus to celebrations in the town as the Olympic spirit gathers momentum.

"I have no doubt that local people will give the Olympic flame a welcome and send off to remeber."

The torch will depart Teesside and travel through North Yorkshire, on Monday June 18, as it makes its way to the next overnight port of call, in York.

It must reach London by July 27 for the opening ceremony of the games, which run through to August 12, 2012.

Further details about the full route for the torch will be announced by the London Games' organising committee, LOCOG, in a few weeks.