Borough's hopes for Olympics torch visit

The world's most iconic sporting symbol could be carried through the streets of Sandwell as part of next year's Olympic torch relay, the Express & Star can reveal.

Organisers of the relay are in the process of finalising the route the flame will take during its one-day visit to Birmingham on June 30.

The torch will arrive in the region from Derby, where it will spend the night of June 29.

Although the torch is expected to be kept in Birmingham overnight, a route in and out of the region is being devised and bosses at Sandwell Council are pressing for it to visit the borough.

Council leader Darren Cooper has revealed the authority is lobbying to bring the torch through streets of towns like West Bromwich. He said: "It would be very exciting."