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They braved the rain and put up with the mud.

But that didn’t stop more than 11,000 people pack into Southampton’s Mayflower Park to welcome in the Olympic flame.

As the torch made its way through the city’s streets, thousands gathered at the waterfront park to celebrate its final leg of the day.

Organisers had planned for 15,000 to attend the event and from 4pm crowds began streaming through the gates undeterred by the heavy downpours.

From youngsters dressed head to toe in red, white and blue to pensioners twirling union Jack Windmills everyone was there to simply have a good time.

In the build up the crowds were entertained by a fantastic set by Wretch 32 before former Olympians took to the stage to remind southampton what it was all about.

Remarkably the rain cleared as the torch carried by Gill Rose, 44, made its way through the cheering crowds.

As she made her way onto the stage and lit the cauldron, the revellers- some even hanging from balconies to catch a glimpse of the once in a lifetime spectacle- whooped and clapped.

Determined to enjoy the night, the crowd stayed on to enjoy a fabulous performance from the Rock Choir- and couldn’t help but jig in the mud.