AN ESTIMATED 50,000 people turned out to see the Olympic torch come through Colchester.

Essex County Council put crowd figures at about three times higher than expected across the county as more than 300,000 people lined the streets to watch the flame pass through their community.

Only Basildon saw higher crowds than Colchester on Friday, with 65,000.

Hatfield Peverel had 6,000 people flock to the village to watch the event, while Maldon had a 10,000-strong crowd.

Stephen Castle, Essex councillor responsible for the 2012 Games said: “It was an absolutely amazing day for Essex. I’d like to thank everyone who came out to watch the Olympic Torch and who contributed to making it such a fantastic event.

“The huge turnout in Essex shows the Olympic spirit is alive and well in the county.”

Colchester’s mayor Christopher Arnold said the scenes were overwhelming.

She added: “Those of us who were up on the town hall balcony looking out, said we had never seen it as packed as it was.

“When we came into the town there were so many walking in to the town centre, though I think we have to assume people came from Tendring as well.

“It is astonishing how many people have been interested by the Olympic Games, and it’s wonderful how inspired they are.

“It is amazing people will turn out in such quantities and clearly understand it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and if you don’t take that chance to be there, you never will.

“Sometimes you hear it said the Games are commercials and it’s all about the sponsorship, negative comments such as these. But when you get people turning out in these sorts of numbers, you realise the majority know what an event it is and what a privilege it is to be in Britain, and so close to us.”

Essex Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Sue Harrison added: “We would like to give a special thank you to the crowds, who were very happy, orderly and had a great community spirit.

“In Essex on Friday, there were some of the biggest crowds supporting the torch relay so far, despite the morning rain.

“There was a wonderful atmosphere and I am really pleased local schools allowed their pupils along the route to experience this unique event.”