Olympic Flame boards steam train

[John Ashworth]

Olympic torch: Flame boards steam train for York to Carlisle leg

BBC 20 June 2012 Last updated at 17:56 GMT

A runner who donated part of her lung to her sister has taken the Olympic flame on board on steam train as the relay travelled from York to Carlisle.

Josephine Loughran, 54, underwent surgery to give a lung lobe to her sister Sheila, who had cystic fibrosis.

She carried the flame on the Scots Guardsman for the journey from York's National Railway Museum to Thirsk.

A woman who helped two drivers who crashed on a railway crossing was also among the day's 85 torchbearers.

Day 33 of the torch relay started at York Minster where Jessica Hoggarth-Hall - who was celebrating her 14th birthday - got proceedings under way.

She was selected for overcoming her dyslexia through regular participation in drama activities.

The flame was then carried from the 14th Century cathedral, through the city's cobbled streets, to the National Railway Museum.

There Ms Loughran, from Esholt Shipley, climbed on the front of the Scots Guardsman for a photograph before the rail journey to Thirsk.

The Flying Scotsman train was originally going to be used for this leg of the journey, but more remedial work was needed on the engine, which could not be done in time.

Pipes and drums from the First Battalion, the Scots Guards piped the flame's arrival.

All Creatures Great and Small

Mrs Loughran used to run every day but gave up her passion temporarily so she could undergo an operation to donate one of the lobes of her lungs to her sister Sheila.

The transplant worked but Sheila has since died.

During the day the flame will travel 134 miles to Bitts Park in Carlisle.

After taking in Thirsk, the home town of James Herriot, author of the All Creatures Great and Small series of books, the torch travelled to Northallerton, Aiskew and Bedale.

Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale provided a picturesque spot for Lucy Gale to take her turn with the torch.

Ms Gale helped the drivers of two cars, who had crashed on a railway crossing, to safety as a frieght train approached.

Later arriving in Richmond, Helen Jackson, 38, from Huddersfield, took the flame to Richmond Castle.

She was chosen for the voluntary work she does at local hospices to repay them for the care they have given to some of her friends and family in recent years.

After a lunch stop, the relay travelled to Barnard Castle before heading to Brough, Appleby-in-Westmorland and Penrith before culminating in England's second-most northerly city, Carlisle.

There, the day's final torchbearer, Jordan Little, lit the cauldron at an evening celebration in his home city. The 20-year-old was nominated for his work as activities co-ordinator for the Carlisle Youth Council.

The cauldron-lighting event was part of a celebration in Bitts Park, starring singer Katy B and Twist & Pulse, finalists in TV show Britain's Got Talent.

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 27 July.