FIVE thousand runners have carried it on a 63,000-mile journey through 24 countries and 500 towns.

And yesterday the Queen's Jubilee Baton made its way through Bolton -- in the hands of our boldest, bravest and best.

Nurse Maureen Heggie carried the baton into Victoria Square, cheered on by hundreds of shoppers who braved the rain.

She passed it to the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, who held it aloft on the steps of the town hall.

The former Bolton Woman of the Year then took it back and ran down Howell Croft South to hand it to her wheelchair-bound husband, Jim. Maureen brought the baton into the Square to the tune of Eye of the Tiger.

The 48-year-old nurse at the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "It's a shame it had to rain but it didn't spoil the fun. I had a fantastic time."

The Square was a sea of purple and yellow -- the colours of the Games.

Bolton's former athletes -- weightlifter Jim Halliday, aged 85, and wrestlers Brian Aspen, aged 43, and his father Albert, aged 68, who have each had success at previous Commonwealth Games -- watched the event come to the North-west.

Jim, who won bronze in 1948 and gold in 1950 and 1954, said: "Bolton put on a wonderful show. I'm sure we can set a precedent for the Games for years to come."

Brian, bronze winner in 1978 and 1986 and gold medallist in 1982, added: "This is a real chance for Manchester to prove it can put on a sporting event that is world-class."

His father, Albert, bronze medallist in 1958, 1962 and 1966, said the Commonwealth Games could aid a future Olympic bid.

"Some may have been surprised the Games were coming to this area," he said, "but we can show the world how it's done." Hundreds of balloons were released into the sky as the baton passed through Victoria Square.

They filled the air as a loudspeaker blasted dance music across the town.

There were performances from young Zulu warriors -- and singers from Tonge Moor Primary and St Brendan's School, Harwood.

Cllr Walsh said: "The Games will put Bolton on the map and we should all be proud of playing a significant part in that."

Some of the borough's finest men and women were picked to take part in the relay through Bolton.

Some had overcome personal tragedy or illness, others raised thousands of pounds for charity and some helped their

friends through difficult times.

But they all had one thing in common as they passed the baton to each other yesterday -- they were all smiling with pride.

The baton began the final leg of its round-the-world journey at Hadrian's Wall just after dawn and it arrived at the outskirts of Bolton just before 3pm. It was carried over the border from Wigan into Westhoughton by Games athlete Jason Lobo.

There were cheers as he handed the baton to local pub landlord George Tipton, who held it high in the air.

Onlookers waved flags and clapped as he headed at a brisk pace towards Bolton. The baton was soon handed to 30-year-old Jacqueline Worswick, who carried it in a special holder on her wheelchair.

"It was such an amazing experience," she said afterwards. "I feel so proud. We all do."

Hundreds of people gathered on Cricketer's Way. Emily Instone, who celebrates her 87th birthday tomorrow, was handed the baton for a brief moment as the athletes took a rest.

Many more Boltonians were given the honour of taking part in the relay before it finally reached the town hall.

Tomorrow, the baton will be handed to the Queen during the opening ceremony in the new City of Manchester Stadium, where she will open it to read out a message to the watching world.

THE RUNNERS

BOLTON was proudly represented by its runners, each decked in the Games uniform and each eager to carry the baton. They were:

Simon Collier, 27, from Lowton, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, who works for Cadbury.

17-year-old Laura Whiteley, a Huddersfield-born resident at High Barn Rehabilitation Centre in Bury.

James Hall, aged 67, from Egerton, running on behalf of the Manchester-based Children's Hospital Appeals Trust.

Jacqueline Austin-Millington, aged 39, from Little Lever, who is recovering from cancer.

Alan Smith, aged 52, a kidney transplant patient from Rochdale, nominated for his voluntary work with the WRVS.

Ray Collett, aged 65, from Horwich, who has run the marathon seven times.

Volunteer worker Eddie Birchall, 38, from New Bury, currently training for the London Marathon.

Ian Hurst, aged 44, a morris dancer from Horwich.

Lynda Kilshaw, aged 42, from Smithills, raising money for Christie Hospital and Bolton Hospice.

Phil O'Neill, aged 22, from Ormskirk,

a worker for sponsor Cadbury.

June Sneddon, aged 62, from Horwich, who works at Asda.

Fellow Asda worker Dave Botter,

aged 42, from Leigh.

13-year-old Brett Radcliffe, from Bolton, nominated for his fund-raising for a special needs school.

John Firth, from Westhoughton, who has Parkinson's disease.

Maureen Heggie, aged 48, from Astley Bridge.

Simon Evans, aged 26, from Gt Lever.

Jim Heggie, aged 52, from Astley Bridge, who has been in a wheelchair since he was shot by a sniper in Northern Ireland in 1976.

Steve O'Neill, aged 24, from Bolton, who works for Cadbury.

And Lofty The Lion!

The Route: How the baton passed through Bolton

3.25pm: Wigan Road (A58), Westhoughton, near Castle Hill Park

3.46pm: Turned right onto Cricketers Way (A58)

3.48pm: Turned left into Texaco Garage and McDonalds

4.08pm: Baton carried by convoy vehicle

4.16pm: Wigan Road (A676), Bolton, near Junction Road

4.28pm: Turned right onto College Way

4.30pm: Turned left onto Derby Street (A579)

4.34pm: Turned left onto Blackhorse Street

4.36pm: Turned left onto Ashburner Street

4.37pm: Turned left into Howell Croft South

4.37pm: Veered left into Le Mans Crescent and into Victoria Square

4.40pm: Turned left into Howell Croft South

4.41pm: Turned right into Ashburner Street

4.41pm: Turned left into Blackhorse Street

4.44pm: Turned left into Trinity Street

4.55pm: Veered right onto Bury Road (A58)

5.14pm: Baton carried to Bury by convoy vehicle

5.22pm: Angouleme Way, Bury

5.29pm: On to Heywood