SIR Roger Bannister proudly carried the Olympic flame aloft at the scene of his 1954 four minute mile triumph this morning.

He carried the flame the short distance at the finishing line at the Roger Bannister Running Track at about 7am.

To cheers from an invited audience he then passed the torch to 25-year-old student Nicola Byrom, honoured for her work to help youngsters suffering from eating disorders.

She then ran around the track and onto Iffley Road to a roar from the crowd, again spared the rain after yesterday's torch procession through Oxford.

Sir Roger said he was “very proud” to have taken part.

He said: “I have waited so long watching the progress of the torch across the country and I have been moved by the enthusiasm which echoes, in a way, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations."