The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has welcomed the return of the Olympic Flame to Yorkshire as Bradford awaits its arrival today.

The Flame is visiting more than 70 villages, towns and cities on its tour of the region including Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield, Barnsley and Sheffield.

Mr Clegg said today: “Over the past few weeks the Olympic Torch Relay has received a phenomenal welcome on its travels around the UK. Now it is Yorkshire and Humber’s time to get involved. I know that the people here are going to give the relay a fantastic reception.

"Local companies have already played a big part in the preparations for the Olympics with 40 businesses providing building material for the Olympic Park and hundreds more receiving other Games-related contracts. In the coming weeks the area will have an even bigger role to play as we host 13 training camps.

"Yorkshire and the Humber is also home to a number of the UK’s top Olympic athletes so when the Games start I am sure we will all be cheering them on.”

The Flame visited Hull and York last week, stopping off at the National Railway Museum in York, Beverley Minster and Fountains Abbey before heading to the North West. The Flame has now come back over the Pennines and will be travelling through the Bradford, Keighley, Skipton and Ilkley this afternoon.

Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt said: “At just over half way through its journey the Flame has already travelled thousands of miles, visited hundreds of villages, towns and cities and been greeted by 4.1 million people up and down the country. Now it’s Yorkshire and the Humber’s turn to join in the celebrations.

“This region has a huge amount to be proud of, from its magnificent countryside to its bustling cities and the Torch Relay will offer a great opportunity to showcase the area to the rest of the country and the world.”