Olympic torch: Sir Chris Hoy to carry flame in Manchester

The London 2012 torch relay will travel from the Lancastrian coast to the north-west's largest city Manchester on day 36 of its progress.

Carrying the torch into the city centre will be Britain's most successful Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

Sir Chris, 36, said he was "very excited" to have been chosen to carry the torch in his adopted home city.

The day's relay starts at one of the homes of UK golf, Lytham St Anne's, famous for frequently hosting The Open.

The torch will proceed to Preston, Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley, before travelling via Rawtenstall, Rochdale and Bury to Manchester.

Other communities visited will include Warton, Crawshawbooth, Reedsholme, Heywood, Whitfield, Prestwich, Higher Broughton and Cheetham Hill.

Forecasters say the high winds that marred Friday's relay should abate but there is likely to be continued rain.

A BBC Blue Peter live outside broadcast and event in Burnley on Saturday has been cancelled because of poor conditions.

On Friday a trip to the top of Blackpool Tower was called off and the relay route was diverted away from the sea front.

Former Olympic 800m finalist Diane Modahl will be among the torch bearers heading through Preston.

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And on the centenary of his death, the flame will visit the statue of computer pioneer Alan Turing in Manchester.

The torch will be taken to the monument by Martin Hewitt, 30, a former soldier who overcame injuries sustained in Afghanistan to become an international skier.

The day begins at the Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club at 06:05 BST when 14-year-old schoolgirl Alice Kelly, who raised £1,200 towards an education project in The Gambia, takes the flame.

The morning also sees Rosie Hollis, 26, from Darwen, take the flame to Blackburn Town Hall. Rose launched a campaign to lower the age for cervical smear screening after she was diagnosed with cancer of the cervix two years ago.

Lee Seung Gi, one of Korea's top actors, will be among a number of Korean torch bearers on Saturday. He will take the torch through Rochdale.

Another noted cyclist Geoff Cooke of Nottingham carries the flame into Manchester, the home of British Cycling. Geoff, 67, has been involved in the sport for more than 50 years, first as a competitor, then as a coach at the highest level - including 10 years as GB coach. He still cycles and coaches juniors.

The relay ends with an evening celebration at the city's Albert Square between 17:00 and 19:30 BST.

The flame will be carried onto the stage by 2011 Mancunian Of the Year, Carl Tilson, who raises funds for his fellow sufferers of muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Carl, who has raised more than £100,000 for the cause, is due to light the cauldron at 18:50 BST.

Hit band Tribe, indie favourites the Courteeners, the Halle Youth Choir and Britain's Got Talent finalists, dance duo Twist and Pulse will entertain the crowds.

The show will be followed by a free party at the Printworks, Withy Grove, with some of Africa's finest musicians lending an exotic turn to Manchester's streets.

A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July.