On your marks, get set ... 

A spectacular day of sporting and cultural events will take place in Islington to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic torch passing through the borough on Thursday 26 July.

The torch will begin its journey through Islington at the London Canal Museum at approximately 7.58am, coming from Kings Cross-St Pancras. Torchbearers will then make their way up Caledonian Road, along Offord Road and Highbury Station Road to Highbury Corner roundabout. The relay will pass down Upper Street, with a brief pause at the Town Hall (scheduled for 8.22am), down past Angel in to St John's Street and finally leaving Islington as it heads into the City of London. 

Islington residents are invited to line the streets to welcome the torch and join in the borough's free celebrations.

The festivities will start early with a free family fun day at the London Canal Museum kicking off at 7.30am to coincide with  the Olympic torch first entering the borough. Activities will continue at the museum until 1pm.

From 8am, the forecourt at Islington Town Hall will come alive with music from the London Symphony Orchestra, aerial performances from Scarabeus Theatre and dance from Sadlers Wells and Zoonation.  The performances will be a culmination of weeks of preparation involving young people and community groups from across the borough.

Highbury Fields will be given over to a whole day of sporting events from 10am, where children and young people will be able to try out 19 different Olympic and Paralympic sports.  Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville will add to the entertainment on offer along with some exciting performances and guest appearances on stage.  

Visitors to the Highbury Fields event will also be able to have their photograph taken with the torch used at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Leader of Islington Council, Cllr Catherine West, said:

"We're really looking forward to welcoming the Olympic torch into the borough and hosting a day of celebrations that everyone can come along and get involved with for free.

"Islington's celebrations aren't limited to the 26 July either. Islington Council decided that we could manage with less bunting than some other boroughs, and instead we've invested the bunting money we were given by the GLA in a huge range of cultural and sporting events planned across the borough this summer for residents to enjoy."

Islington Council has been working with the GLA, the Czech Republic, Sadlers Wells and a whole host of arts and community groups in the borough to plan activities around the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

You can keep up to date with details about what's happening - including information about how roads will be affected in Islington - by visiting www.islington.gov.uk/2012