UP TO 8,000 people are already in Cirencester to watch the Olympic Torch Relay this afternoon.

Full road closures have been put in place around Cirencester and police are advising people not to try and access the town centre unless they are on foot.

The torch is expected to take just 12 minutes to pass through the town before it continues its journey towards Stroud and Painswick, before arriving in Cheltenham this evening.

The torch is thought to be running behind schedule by up to 30 minutes.

Pittville Street and Albion Street in Cheltenham are now closed and will not reopen until after the Torch Relay.