Fauja Singh, the 101-year-old marathon runner, made history today as he became the relay’s oldest torchbearer.

The Goodmayes runner took the Torch at about 1.45pm in Newham and was swamped by delirious onlookers hoping to get a piece of the action.

Beforehand, Paloma Faith and Phillips Idowu joined dozens of torchbearers on the route from North Woolwich to Stratford.

Fauja started his career as a marathon runner at the age of 89 and ran his last London Marathon this year in a time of seven hours, 49 minutes.

He is no stranger to holding the Olympic Torch – he also took the flame when it was in London for the 2004 Athens Games.

Last year he became the first 100-year-old to complete a marathon when he ran in the Toronto Waterfront event.

The Torch will begin its journey through Redbridge at 7.19am tomorrow when it leaves Redbridge Cycling Centre, Forest Road, Hainault.

It will arrive in Ilford Town Centre after 9am, having already passed through High Street, Barkingside and the length of Cranbrook Road. The Flame will be taken to the historic Valentines Mansion, visited in March by the Queen.