Jane remembered as son carries Torch

The 14-year-old carried the flame through Beeston, Leeds, yesterday, eight years on from watching his late mother run with it in London ahead of the 2004 Athens Games.

Steven, who was cheered on by his father Mike, sisters Suzanne and Rebecca, and hundreds of well-wishers, said: “It was an amazing experience.”

Mrs Tomlinson, who raised more than £1.85m while battling cancer, was an ambassador for London’s Olympic bid before she died aged 43 in 2007.

Earlier, the flame toured the city centre before visiting Hunslet, Beeston, Morley, Batley and Dewsbury on its way to Wakefield, where thousands of people thronged the streets.

Janet Landini-Cockerham, from Normanton, who was there with her family, said: “The atmosphere has been really good. It’s been really good for the little ones.”

Her mother Joan Landini, from Wakefield, added: “It’s a chance in a lifetime. I’ll never see anything like this again.”

Excitement also greeted the Torch in Castleford, Pontefract and Ackworth, where Jack Mitchell was helped from his wheelchair to walk with it. The 19-year-old, from Barnsley, is learning to walk again after a brain injury in 2010.

The Torch then visited Lundwood, Cundy Cross, Barnsley, Darton, Kexborough, Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, Parson Cross and finally Sheffield, where Lord Coe was welcomed home.

The London 2012 chairman and double Olympic gold medalist stopped to visit pupils at his old school, Tapton Secondary, before taking his turn with the Torch.

He also visited Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Shadow Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell also joined Lord Coe in the city yesterday.

Today is the relay’s last day in Yorkshire. The flame leaves Sheffield at 7.40am then visits Rotherham, Dalton, Thrybergh, Conisbrough, Warmsworth, Doncaster, Armthorpe, Dunsville and Hatfield.