A Blackburn care home and its residents have prepared for this year’s Olympics with their very own torch ceremony.

Residents at Birchfield Care Home and staff passed a homemade torch as they got into the spirit of the games, which start with an opening ceremony in Paris this evening.

The family run residential home, in Gorse Road, has spent all week preparing to bring Paris to Blackburn with staff organising activities to celebrate the two amazing weeks of sport.

Staff and residents all had a go at passing or running with the torch through the property, which dates to the 1890s.

Other activities include painting paper plates as the Olympic Rings whilst discussing their favourite childhood sports.

These activities have been designed by activities coordinator Michelle Hennessey to celebrate all things sport and get residents in the mood for the summer games.

Manager of Birchfield Care Home, Becky Jackson, said: “They have already enjoyed it and the staff enjoyed it as well.

“It has been great just getting involved in events reminding them of what is coming up.

“We are all about having fun and being involved. They have just enjoyed the experience of being so close to the games.”

And staff have also allocated a whiteboard to the event which informs all residents which events are on, to ensure no one misses a minute of sporting action.

The Olympics officially gets underway with tonight's opening ceremony, due to take place along the River Seine, with the world's top athletes landing in Paris ahead of an amazing tournament.

Lancashire is well represented, with pole-vaulter Holly Bradshaw, rower Graeme Thomas and swimmer Anna Hopkins all contenders for medals.