An official London 2012 Olympic torch will be on display at St Austell Brewery this week, giving people a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see it and have their photographs taken.

The torch, which will carry the Olympic flame to London next year, will be at St Austell Brewery’s Visitor Centre, in conjunction with Olympic sponsor Coca Cola, on Thursday 11 August from 7pm to 9pm.

People can have their photograph taken with the torch, which will travel thousands of miles around Britain next year, carried by a succession of 8,000 runners. The torch relay begins in Cornwall next year.

The Olympic torch features 8,000 small cut-out circles, representing those 8,000 people. It was designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby and is made up of an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin, held in place by a cast top piece and base.

 James Staughton, Managing Director of St Austell Brewery, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to see a torch up close and we are delighted to be hosting this very special event.

“Everyone is welcome – young, old, customers, staff and locals. There is no need to book, just come along.”

The Hicks Bar, in the Visitor Centre, will be open for refreshments, including St Austell Brewery’s award-winning ales.