IN eleven days' time, the eyes of the world will be on West Devon as the Olympic torch relay passes through the area.

The Olympic Flame arrives in the UK on May 18, starting its 70-day journey from Land's End around the country to the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27.

On Monday May 21, the torch arrives in West Devon, travelling from Exeter to Okehampton, Folly Gate and Hatherleigh before it goes on to North Devon.

West Devon Borough Council and the London 2012 Organising Committee have been working together on bringing the once-in-a-lifetime event to the area.

Schools, community organisations and other groups have also been invited to get involved in the day, with Okehampton Primary School, the Okehampton Otters Swimming Club and Hatherleigh Primary School among the organisations signing up to be a part of the area's celebrations.

Okehampton Otters are planning to get as many members down to the town centre to cheer the torchbearers on, wearing Otters shirts, waving Union flags and holding their club banner.

The club has already embraced the Olympic spirit this year, having travelled to the Olympic Park in London to watch the British swimming trials in March.

David Rickwood, a fundraiser for the Otters, said: 'With the Olympics going on in London, it can all feel a bit distant.

'The swimming trials were a great opportunity to get involved in the games, and going to watch the torch relay is a good way to get youngsters and everyone else excited about the games.'

Stuart Lord, of OCRA said: 'At OCRA we are encouraging people to go along, watch the torch go through the town and get involved however they can. It is a once in a lifetime event, and something great to see in Okehampton.'

Hatherleigh Primary School has a day's worth of activities planned, including involvement from Olympic sponsors Lloyds TSB, with street entertainers, a London taxi, and a special school assembly with one of the torchbearers from Okehampton, Andy Vallance.

­There will also be sports challenges and other Olympic fun throughout the day. The school has been preparing for the event with the creation of Ruby, the school Olympic mascot designed by Year 6 pupils Millie Draper, Holly Bromley and Charlotte Scammel.

Headteacher Caroline Boother said: 'The pupils are getting excited for it. There has been a lot of talking about it and things are just building up to it now, and it should be a great day.'

Around 200 children from Beaford Primary, Dolton Primary and Clinton C of E Primary will watch the torch pass through Merton at Clinton Primary, as the torch leaves the region to pass into North Devon.

The torch will arrive in Okehampton at 8.10am, passing down Exeter Road and East Street into the town centre, turning onto Market Street and heading out of the town up Lodge Hill and Upcott Hill.

The torch will make a detour to visit the primary school on the way out of town. From there it will travel by convoy to Folly Gate, where the torch procession is scheduled to start at 8.32am.

The torch will follow the A386 through the village, before travelling to Hatherleigh where the torch relay starts at 8.54am. It will travel up Bridge Street, turning onto Market Street and up to Oakfield Road.

The relay in Merton starts at 9.16am along the A386 through the village before travelling to Great Torrington.

Among those carrying the torch through Okehampton is West Devon Olympic hopeful Georgina Geikie, who is hoping to claim a place in the Team GB squad for pistol shooting.