PENSIONERS in Orford will help an Olympic-style torch travel more than 700 miles.

The residents of Ryfields Retirement Village will receive the torch in April before taking it onto St Helens.

It will then be taken to other ExtraCare Charitable Trust retirement centres before reaching Milton Keynes on July 27, the day of the Olympic opening ceremony.

The ExtraCare challenge is aimed at getting pensioners active in the run up to London 2012.

Those involved will take part in activities including running and cycling while the torch will be carried in boats, hot air balloons and golf buggies.

The initiative was launched this month by former Olympic long-distance runner Dave Moorcroft.

Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said: “The ExtraCare Challenge is encouraging older people around the country to fulfil their potential. I am proud that we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in sports and other physical activities.”

Nick Abbey, chief executive of the ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said: “We will be travelling to 29 sites, with thousands of miles and countless activities involved.

“I suspect it will be one heck of a trip.”