The Olympic Torch is in London

Helicopter carrying Olympic Torch hovers over Tower Bridge Credit: ITV

The seven day countdown to the Olympics opening ceremony on July 27 is now officially underway. The flame made a dramatic entrance to the London skyline, carried in a Navy helicopter which flew along the River Thames to the Tower of London. Hundreds gathered to watch from neighbouring Tower Bridge. It was the moment they had all been waiting for.

The aircraft hoovered over the Tower, staying in place so that a Royal Marine commando could abseil from its doors with the Olympic flame attached to his belt. The flame was passed to Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes who then ran a lap around the Tower of London.

Hundreds of people gathered on Tower Bridge to watch flame's arrival