THOUSANDS of people got into the Olympic spirit and braved the rain on Monday as Petersfield grabbed its 'moment to shine' with both hands.

The occasion was the arrival of the historic torch relay, which was witnessed by celebratory folk thronging the streets and grabbing every available vantage point as a little bit of living history unfolded before their eyes.

A relay of torchbearers took the iconic flame along The Causeway, Dragon Street, the High Street, Chapel Street, Station Road and Ramshill before it was taken in convoy to Rogate village ahead of its onward journey west to Brighton in East Sussex.

Across the county border in Rogate, the crowds were packed in for the biggest turnout of any event in the village's history.

As Petersfield's cafes, coffee shops and pubs opened up for the early-morning breakfast trade there was an air of fevered excitement with tens of thousands of spectators searching out the best vantage points along the route.

Even the dismal weather failed to dampen the spirits of an army of umbrella-clad and flag-waving people of all ages ready to join in the historic fun.

For full story and more great pictures from the Olympic torch relay, see this week's Petersfield Herald.