by your Olympic Torch reporting team: Thom Morris, Alan Watkins, Rachel Hovenden, Alex Matthews and Nikki White

Thousands of people turned out through Gravesham to welcome the Olympic flame.

Crowds lined the streets cheering, waving and blowing whistles as the procession wound its way through the borough.

It wasn't without drama though - a 17-year-old was arrested after a man attempted to take the Olympic Flame from a torchbearer in Rochester Road. The teenager is now in the custody of Kent Police.

No one was injured and the torch continued on its way without disruption.

An emergency control room at Gravesham's civic centre has opened and will monitor events in the borough until the Games finish.

However, the attempted torch grab was left in the hands of the police.

The torch first entered the borough in Higham, where villagers dressed in period costume in honour of their links to Charles Dickens. Some also used it as an opportunity to protest against airport plans.

There were 7,000 people in the village, and three bands to keep them all entertained.

It then headed onto Gravesend where the crowds were six or seven deep at some points.

Hundreds lined Rochester Road (pictured above) and there was a summer barbecue feeling as the smell of hot dogs and burgers filled the air.

Children screamed "Olympics" as the procession began and many high fived policeman on their bikes.

One of those watching was Audrey Walker, 80, (pictured right) who remembers the original visit to the country.

The grandmother-of-11 said: "My son is doing a barbecue for family and friends so I'm having a bacon sandwich.

"We've got some friends over and there's a real community spirit here today.

"The last time it was here it was nothing like this. We had to look at pictures in the paper or on the sport reels at the cinema."

Tony Cartwright, 70, (pictured left) was tucking into a hot dog.

He said: "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to be here and I certainly won't be around next time.

"I think before this, it [the Olympics] all seemed quite a way off but now the torch is here and it's a week away, things are staring to build up. I'm starting to get in the mood."

Carer Karen Stevens was with Terry Hailey, 60, to watch the torch come through.

Karen, 45 (pictured right with Terry) said: "It's really a once in a lifetime opportunity so I've brought my deckchair down. We're never going to see this again.

"I'm not a sports person but I really like the feeling out here today.

"There's a great community atmosphere and it's brought everyone together which is really nice."

Another popular place to see the flame was the new Sikh Gurdwara in Khalsa Avenue, where crowds gathered including youngsters from Trinity Road Primary School.

People waved flags and blew whistles as the flame was passed from one torchbearer to another.

In Gravesend town centre, it was a real carnival atmosphere. People had been arriving to bag some of the best spots from around 8am.

There was plenty for people to see and do in the build up, including free sword-fighting lessons from Gravesham Fencing Club, with displays from club captain Scott Greenwood and Cameron Prior, from Harvel, who fences for the under 15s England squad.

There were also dancers and entertainers.

At one point, an elderly gentlemen got a huge cheer from the crowd outside Debenhams as he walked down the middle of the road, brandishing his walking stick in the air as if it was the Olympic Torch, and waving to those watching.

The Selnes family in Gravesend town centre

The Selnes family from Gravesend said: "We wanted to be here to support the people taking part.

"It's great for community spirit that the parade is coming through Gravesend. There’s a real sense of town pride."

Jacqueline Broad had travelled in from her home in West Kingsdown to see her grand-daughter Alisha McNab, 12, from Gravesend, who was performing with a dance troupe.

She said: "We wanted to see the flame. It's amazing and such a privilege."

Olive Reynolds (pictured left), from New Barn, was with her husband, Derek.

She said: "I think it's exciting. It's a chance to show you're patriotic and proud of your country." They later both left for Guildford for another celebration later in the day.

Janet Deneani, of Bourne Road, Gravesend, was in town from 8am. She said: "I wanted to get a good spot. I've been looking forward to this day."

Sandra Thomas, 58, from Gravesend, was watching the parade with her family.

She said: "It’s a once in a life time experience to be here, we wanted the kids to come and enjoy the day."

One group truly got into the swing of things donning colourful wigs, blowing whistles and waving flags and inflatable torches.

Harrison Garrod, 13, Hannah Garrod, 11, Julie Garrod, Sue Wigzell, and Jasmine Walker, 12, all from Gravesend, bagged themselves a spot outside the HSBC bank in New Road where one torchbearer passed the flame onto another.

Julie said: "We wanted to be part of the spirit of it all."

Elsie Fisher, 65, of Windmill Street, Gravesend, was there with all her family, including her 12-year-old grand-daughter Rebecca Wells, of Oak Road, Kings Farm. The youngster was wearing patriotic red, white and blue leggings for the occasion.

Elsie said: "We've really been looking forward to it. I thought it was fantastic when I heard the torch was coming here. I love the Olympics."

Rebecca's mum Diane said: "We just had to come down. This will be something my children will remember forever."

After leaving Gravesham, the torch headed to Brands Hatch for a photocall. The track will host the Paralympic Road Cycling Event later this year.

Craig Preece, a soldier who was forced to have a leg amputated after being wounded in Afghanistan, rode with the torch from the traditional start line to Paddock Hill Bend.

The flame then headed towards Borough Green and the rest of its trip through Kent before heading to Guildford.

Did you see the flame? You can email us your photos and videos togravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk