HUNDREDS of people turned out to watch the Paralympic Flame arrived in Ely on Saturday.

The flame was brought along the River Great Ouse amid a floatilla of boats before being paraded around Jubilee Gardens and on up to Ely Museum, in Market Street.

A host of activities, including a mass participation Zumba class, were held in the gardens as part of the event with hundreds of East Cambs residents showing their support.

Torchbearers Nicole Wilson, Michael Slattery, Arthur Cutter and Jamie Spalding were on fine form as they paraded the torch around the gardens to cheers from well-wishers.

Mayor of Ely Will Burton was on hand to formally welcome the torch and Ely’s town crier Avirl Hayter-Smith was also on hand to herald its arrival in fine style.

Cllr Richard Hobbs, chairman of the community and environment committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “It was a great occasion at the Jubilee Gardens in Ely on Saturday afternoon with hundreds of people coming out to watch the arrival of the flame via the flotilla of boats.

“It was a wonderful team effort from all those who volunteered from the sports clubs, the scouts, the boat owners, council officers and of course those who carried the flame around the gardens.”

Cllr Martin Curtis, lead member for the Paralympic Games at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “It has been a fantastic weekend with so many people coming out to welcome the Paralympic Flame.

There has been a lot of hard work across the county to bring the various events to life and they have shown just how strong the support for the Paralympic movement is.”