Preview of official Olympic torch route with MV Tern

Visitors to Windermere will soon be able to cruise on the same boat - and along the same route - as the official Olympic torch will follow in this summer’s Olympic Torch Relay event from today.

As Windermere Lake Cruises launches its iconic MV Tern vessel into public service after its winter rest, the company hopes the local community will share in the excitement leading up to what promises to be one of the region’s most prolific events of the year.

Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director at Windermere Lake Cruises, said: “It’s obviously a great privilege to be involved in this kind of national event and we’re hoping people will take the opportunity to enjoy a cruise on Tern and experience the same route that the Olympic torch will follow in June.”

MV Tern was built in 1891 and has operated on Windermere for over 120 years. She was originally steam powered but was converted to diesel in 1957 and is included on the National Historic Ships Register.

The Olympic Torch Relay celebrations will take place in Bowness on the evening of 21st June. Coordinated by LOCOG, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Lake Cruises, local police, highways and emergency services and many other organisations, the event will give the local community and visitors to the area a chance to welcome the Olympic Flame and share in the excitement and celebrations that the Relay will bring.

Lakes Alive, in conjunction with Les Commandos Percu, will finish off the evening’s proceedings in style with the world premiere of ‘On the Night Shift’, a newly commissioned spectacular show to mark the start of the London 2012 Festival. This incredible open-air production combines music, pyrotechnics and drama to dazzling effect, sending streams of colour and light soaring through the skies above Windermere.

For more information on MV Tern, visit YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WindermereCruises.