And finally, the finale... Join in the handover celebration

TEESSIDERS are invited to join the UK in a mass celebration this Sunday as the Olympic flag is handed over to London for the 2012 games.


From 2pm until 5.30pm Middlesbrough centre square will become a hub of activity with residents able to take part in a variety of sporting and cultural activities.

The day will include performances from Middlesbrough Youth Dance Academy and the Gandinis Circus.

People will be able to watch the Olympic closing ceremony live from Beijing on the big screen.

And the square will be helping to unite the UK in song at 4pm.

Sing the Nation will see regions across the UK holding a mass sing-a-long led by community choirs.

Each town or city will sing one song at the same time that connects to that location.

Teesside-based international performer Richard Grainger will perform Middlesbrough’s song “One People (shoulder to shoulder)”.

The song was originally recorded with children from Lingdale and Abingdon Primary School in Middlesbrough. The latter adopted the song as their daily anthem.

Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton Borough council will both be holding flag raising ceremonies.

These take place 2pm at Tees Barrage and at 2.30pm on Redcar sea front opposite Bath Street.

Stockton’s flag will be raised by Olympic gymnast Craig Heap, and Redcar’s by Mayor Councillor Mike Findley.


More than 400 councils across the country have arranged events to mark the