Selby District Council is putting its support to a campaign to bring the Olympic torch to Sherburn in Elmet during its tour of the UK this June.

The torch is due to be taken through Camblesforth, Selby, Monk Fryston, Barkston Ash and Tadcaster by runners, but due to be in 'convoy mode', which means it will be taken by road, around the Sherburn in Elmet bypass.

Recently the Council has received a petition from nearly 3,000 residents calling for Sherburn in Elmet to be included as a stop-off for the torch.  Decisions about the route are made by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).  Now the Council has agreed to put its weight behind the campaign and the Chief Executive will contact LOCOG to push for a change of route.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Crane, explained, "Selby District Council is not in charge of where the torch goes, although we are involved in supporting its journey through our district.

"There's a strong sense of disappointment in Sherburn that the torch is not scheduled to go through the village, despite it being by far the biggest village in the district and home to many school children from across the local area.

"We don't want the torch routed away from anywhere else, but we want Sherburn to be added to the list.  We'll be writing to LOCOG to voice our concerns to see if any change to the route can be made."

The torch is scheduled to arrive in the Selby district on Tuesday 19 June on as it travels between Hull and York.  It is being taken on a tour of the whole country in the weeks preceding the London Games.