THE scramble for tickets is nearing an end and the relay route of the Olympic torch has been announced as anticipation for London 2012 continues to grow.

The search for 8,000 “inspirational torchbearers” has begun with the first 74 locations of the torch relay route revealed today.

The 70-day relay will start at Land’s End on May 19 next year - a day after the torch arrives in the UK from Greece. It will finish at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium on July 27.

It will pass through Cambridge on Day 50 (July 7) and Peterborough on the evening of Day 46 (July 3) - with overnight stops at both locations.

The route, which covers every nation and region in the UK, will see the Olympic torch travel 8,000 miles.

The comprehensive journey will take the torch through a host of towns and cities, meaning that the Olympic flame will go to within an hour’s travel of 95% of the population.

The route will also include six island visits - to the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Shetland, Orkney and the Isle of Lewis.

Thousands of people are expected to celebrate along what has been dubbed “a journey of celebration”, with shows and concerts planned on 66 of the 70 days.

The design of the torch changes with each Olympic Games - and the 2012 designers are Barber and Osgerby, who won a competitive tender for the role. They are also working on designs for the Paralympic torch relay.

Meanwhile, the wait is coming to an end for the 1.8 million people wondering whether their applications for London 2012 tickets were successful.

Games organisers began the lengthy process of deducting money from ticket holders’ bank accounts this week - but it will be another year before they find out how good their seats are.

The spectacular Olympic Park is now more than 80 per cent complete. The last piece of turf in the �486m Olympic Stadium was laid in March, the 6,000-seat velodrome was unveiled in February and the 7,000-seat handball venue hosted its first game last week.