THOUSANDS of people are expected to line the route of the Olympic Flame when it enters South Wales on May 25 .

Selected torchbearers will carry the iconic symbol of the Olympics through the communities of Monmouth, Raglan, Abergavenny Brynmawr and Blaenavon before it travels on to Pontypool, Newport and Cardiff.

Ahead of the visit both the Monmouthshire and Torfaen authorities have announced the names of some of the people who'll be carrying the Olympic Flame.

The torchbearers include those who were successful through the public nomination processes run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and Paralympic Games and its partners.

Each torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform designed by Adidas.

Hazel Cave, a youth and children's worker at Raglan Baptist Church had hoped to be carrying the torch through the village but was given one of the Monmouth stages instead.

"It's an honour to be taking part in this prestigious event, but it's a shame I am not running through the village in which I live."

Hazel, aged 43, is an experienced marathon runner having raised thousands of pounds for the Bobath charity and a little girl in Usk who suffers from cerebral palsy.

However in August last year Hazel was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy and have all her lymph nodes removed.

Hazel added , "It's been a traumatic period in my life, but I ended my chemotherapy treatment in November and being an Olympic torchbearer is something to look forward to and it's a privilege to be part of such a momentous occasion."

Danielle Seivwright who has won numerous awards for her volunteer work in Newport is one of the torchbearers running through Raglan.

"I'm really proud to have been chosen as this is an event for everybody and I hope that as many people make the most of the opportunity of seeing the Olympic Torch pass through Monmouthshire."

The torch will enter Wales at Monmouth where it is anticipated that the formal welcome to the country will be organised

A spokesman for LOCOG said that plans for an official welcome were 'in hand' and would be announced soon.

After entering Wales at Monmouth and moving through Raglan, The Olympic Flame entourage will enter Abergavenny on the Monmouth Road from the Hardwick roundabout.

The procession will continue along Cross Street and Frogmore Street into Regent Street and the Brecon Road before turning left onto the A4143 Merthyr Road.

During this time the Bells of St Mary's Priory Church will ring marking the Torch's journey through the town.

The torchbearers who will be running through Abergavenny are Anthony Palmer from Caerphilly, Dorothy Turner from Caldicott, John Harris from Pontypool, Lyn Hull from Cardiff, Sam Rawbone from Cwmbran and Sean Lewis from Llanbradach.

Councillor Doug Edwards said , "It's a huge honour for Abergavenny to be included on the route for the Olympic flame.

"However I am disappointed that nobody from the town has been successful in being appointed to be part of the event.

"I fully expected that we would have one or two local heroes to cheer on through the streets of our town.

"I am sure that Abergavenny had a number of worthwhile and deserving applicants. I am sure there is nothing we can do about the situation, but I felt the point needed to be raised."

A spokesman for LOCOG said that all torchbearers would be running within an hour of their postcode district.

After leaving Abergavenny town centre, the Olympic flame will continue on its tour of Britain by visiting Brynmawr and Blaenavon.

The torchbearers running with the flame in the area of Big Pit Heritage site area are David Chaffey and Anne Shingler.

David, is an inspirational, 28 year old, from Beaufort, who, despite losing his sight when he was seven, and recently undergoing a heart transplant has been involved in many fund raising for organisations such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, Victim Support groups and St John Ambulance.

Anne, who lives in Ynysddu, was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 32. But four years after her original treatment a recurrence of the primary tumour was diagnosed, and she was told that her life expectancy would be severely shortened and that there was no cure.

Anne now works hard to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer and campaigns to get access to more support and help.

Monmouthshire County Council's Chairman, Councillor Brian Hood said , "Monmouthshire is proud not only to be welcoming the Olympic Torch to Monmouthshire, but to Wales.

"Plans are well advanced for us to ensure that our communities are ready to host the Torch as it makes its journey through our beautiful county.

"And there is a huge range of other events before, during and after what's set to be an amazing day for Monmouthshire and Wales."

Councillor Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen council , "This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for all residents to see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay.

"This announcement really brings the route to life and will encourage people to get involved by lining the streets."

After leaving Blaenavon, the Olympic flame will continue on its journey to Pontpool where local runner Ray Morgan, aged 31, has been chosen as one of the torchbearer in Pontypool.

Ray was brought up in Abergavenny and educated at King Henry VIII School but now lives in Usk and runs for Pontypool Running Club.

Despite suffering from serious health problems associated with asthma as a small child, Ray has overcome this with the help of the local paediatric team and health facilities and he is now raising a lot of money for various charities by running marathons in the UK and abroad.

After leaving Pontypool the Olympic flame will head for Cwmbran, Newport and Cardiff.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the organising committee said, "The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets.

"Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it Monmouthshire and Torfaen's moment to shine."