Cyclist Sir Chris carries torch (From Witney Gazette)

Cyclist Sir Chris carries torch

2:55am Saturday 23rd June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Sporting legends Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bobby Charlton are to carry the Olympic flame as it passes through Manchester this weekend.

The London 2012 torch relay will travel from the Lancastrian coast to 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, 36, who told the BBC he was "very excited" to have been chosen to carry the torch in his adopted home city.

The relay starts from Lytham St Anne's and 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.

On Sunday, football legend Sir Bobby Charlton will carry the Olympic flame on day 37 as it passes Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium.

The 1966 World Cup winner and Manchester United hero, 74, is one of 14 torchbearers on the leg starting from MediaCityUK at around 6.15am.

Sir Bobby is scheduled to carry the flame from Water's Reach to Old Trafford stadium, which is an Olympic Football venue. He will stop for a photo opportunity in front of the iconic Trinity statue, which depicts United's "Holy Trinity" of himself, George Best and Denis Law.

The Olympic flame arrived in Britain from Greece on May 18 and the relay began at Land's End, Cornwall, the next day.

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 July 27.