Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy carries Olympic Torch
Thousands of people lined a street in Manchester to cheer on Sir Chris Hoy as he carried the Olympic torch into the city.
Britain's most successful cyclist, 36, waved at his fans as a carnival atmosphere gripped the city centre street of Deansgate.
Before setting off with the torch in his adopted home city, Sir Chris said carrying the torch had been a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".
Day 36 of the Olympic torch relay saw it travel 71.87 miles through 17 communities on its journey from Lytham St Annes to Manchester.
The flame was carried by 164 torchbearers culminating in an evening celebration at Manchester's Albert Square.
The relay travelled through Warton, Preston, Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Crawshawbooth, Reedsholme, Rawtenstall, Rochdale, Heywood, Bury, Whitefield, Prestwich, Higher Broughton, Cheetham Hill and Manchester.
Tomorrow, football legend Sir Bobby Charlton will carry the Olympic flame on day 37 as it passes Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium.
The 1966 World Cup winner and Manchester United hero, 74, is one of 14 torchbearers on the leg starting from MediaCityUK at around 6.15am.
Sir Bobby is scheduled to carry the flame from Water's Reach to Old Trafford stadium, which is an Olympic Football venue.
The Olympic flame arrived in Britain from Greece on May 18 and the relay began at Land's End, Cornwall, the next day.
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000-mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on July 27.
Stars carry Olympic Torch around the capital
