Hundreds put their gaze firmly on the London Olympics in 2012 thanks to a giant TV screen in Herne Bay on Sunday.

Young and old braved the damp to watch London Mayor Boris Johnson take the Olympic flag in Beijing and with it our aspirations for four years' time.

Residents joined crowds gathered across the country as the glittering, all-star closing ceremony was beamed live from the Chinese capital.

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Sheriff of Canterbury Charlotte MacCaul and Cllr Harry Cragg were also present to witness the raising of one of several Olympic handover flags in the town's Memorial Park.

Singer Leona Lewis and musician Jimmy Page performed a version of Led Zepellin's Whole Lot of Love during an eight-minute showpiece dedicated to London's Games.

But the biggest cheer in the park was reserved for David Beckham - who kicked a football from his platform into the crowd at the Bird's Nest.

Charles Arnold, 87, from King's Road, said: "I was in London in 1948 and cannot wait for it to come back in 2012. I have really enjoyed the athletics."