Top 5 facts about the London 2012 Torch

The flame that will burn during the London Games was lit at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, Greece, on Thursday, heralding the start of a torch relay that will culminate with the opening ceremony on July 27.

Here are top 5 facts about the torch:

1. The Olympic Torch features 8,000 small cut-out circles, representing the 8,000 people that will carry it on its journey around the UK.

2. The small circles which run the length of the body of the Torch make it unique in the way that a person can see right through and view the burner system which will keep the Olympic Flame alive on its journey around the UK.

3. In April 2012, the Torch was recognised as the Design of the Year at an awards ceremony hosted by the Design Museum. The Torch's triangular shape symbolises a series of 'threes': Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship; the three words that make the Olympic motto - faster, higher, stronger; the UK hosting the Olympic Games for the third time - They have previously hosted Olympics in 1908, 1948; and the vision for the London Games to combine three bodies of work - sport, education and culture.

4. The Torch has been made as light as possible since more than half of the torchbearers are expected to be young people, aged as young as 12. The Torch weighs 1kg, including the burner and gas canister, and stands 800 mm high.

5. The body of the gold-coloured Torch is made up of an aluminum alloy that is held in place by a cast top piece and base.