A town snubbed by the Olympic torch is to host its own rival relay.

Uckfield is not on the list of towns and cities that the torch will pass through en route to London, so local people are organising their own relay, using a torch designed by pupils at Uckfield Community Technology College.

Children from seven schools are to take part in the three-mile Alternative Uckfield Torch Run.

Organiser Dorothy Sparks, the chairman of the Uckfield Festival committee, said: “I was most disappointed for the children more than anyone else because they would not be able to take part in this iconic day.

“The idea was to make up for it and let everyone in Uckfield take part in something that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”

An Uckfield College spokesman said: “We didn’t want to miss out and it made me feel that we should be celebrating it ourselves.”