HUNDREDS of runners will join a flame of hope as it is carried through York on its 1,688-mile journey to the Special Olympics.

The event will gather together police officers, athletes with special needs and members of the public for a three-kilometre run on June 5.

The journey of the torch will begin at the London Marathon this Sunday, when Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick carries it around the capital.

The city's most senior police officer is co-ordinating the 2005 Law Enforcement Torch Run, which will take the flame to 16 cities before it arrives in Glasgow.

He is championing the event to raise awareness of the need for more facilities for people with special needs who want to take part in sport.

He said: "My aim is to raise as much money as possible and to raise awareness of the Special Olympics programme.

"I want to make it a day when York and Yorkshire recognises the quality of people who have got involved in the Special Olympics.

"Our ultimate aim is to get a programme in York, and to give someone the opportunity to compete in the national games.

"As a society we are not very clever in this country about making facilities available for special needs groups, and I would like to see far better access and provision as a community."

The Special Olympics flame of hope will be run from London to Glasgow by representatives from the 43 police forces across England and Wales.

It is a celebration of the seventh national games, which will bring together 2,700 Special Olympics athletes to take part in events ranging from swimming, athletics and football to kayaking, golf and judo.

The flame will be lit at an official ceremony at Much Wenlock, Shropshire, the town where the modern Olympic movement was reborn in 1896, inspired by a local GP who promoted organised sport.

The York three kilometre run is expected to take place between the Heworth Rugby League nines tournament and York Minster.

There will be entertainments including learning disability bands and disc jockeys, a radio road show and product promotions.

Updated: 09:57 Tuesday, April 12, 2005