The design, engineering and manufacture of the Torch celebrates the best of British talent, with designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby working in partnership with Basildon based product engineers Tecosim and Coventry based manufacturers The Premier Group. Together they have developed the prototypes on show and the processes for the mass production of the Torches that will start later this year.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: ‘The Torch that carries the Olympic Flame during the Olympic Torch Relay is one of the most recognisable and significant symbols of an Olympic Games. Members of the public right across the UK are busy nominating inspiring people to be Torchbearers and I am thrilled we have a beautifully designed, engineered and crafted Torch for them to carry.

Integral to the design are the 8,000 circles, a lasting representation of the Torchbearer stories of personal achievement or contribution to their local community that will be showcased with every step of the Relay.

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, explained: ‘Ever since we were young we have loved the Olympic Games. As designers, this is quite simply the best project going: to design an icon for the Games. We’ve wanted to be involved since July 2005 when we were celebrating winning the bid with the rest of the UK. We have worked hard to develop a Torch that celebrates the Relay, and reflects the passion for London and the Olympic Games. We wanted to make the most of pioneering production technologies and to demonstrate the industrial excellence available in the UK – it's a Torch for our time. This is our opportunity to represent the UK, in design terms, and we are incredibly proud to be doing so.’

The Torch is made up of four key pieces - an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin perforated by 8,000 circles that are held in place by a cast top piece and base. Representing the inspirational stories of the 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame, the circles which run the length of the body of the Torch also offer a unique level of transparency – allowing people to see right to the heart of the Torch and view the burner system which will keep the Olympic Flame alive. The circles also help ensure heat is quickly dissipated without being conducted down the handle and providing extra grip. London 2012 Partner, BMW, have provided the use of their climatic testing facility for the Torch to be tested.

The triangular form of the Torch design has been inspired by the identification of a multiples of three that are found across the vision and delivery of the Olympic Games:
• The three Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship
• The three words that make the Olympic motto - faster, higher,stronger
• The fact the UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times - in 1908, 1948 and 2012
• The vision for the London 2012 Olympic Games to combine three strands of work - sport, education and culture.

The Torch stands 800mm high. Crafted from an aluminium alloy, developed for the aerospace and automotive industry that is lightweight whilst having good tensile strength and excellent heat resistance, the 8,000 circles also reduce the weight of the final design whilst ensuring strength isn’t compromised.