The Olympic torch briefly took a wrong turn yesterday, delaying the flame's relay across Britain by about ten minutes.

The torch convoy muddled the route in Failand near Bristol, southwest England, a London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games spokesperson said.

The relay was "in convoy mode" at the time, meaning no torchbearers were actually running with the torch. The spokesman said the mistake was quickly rectified.

Shortly afterwards the torch crossed the Clifton Suspension Bridge, carried by top badminton player Rebecca Pantaney against a backdrop of spectacular fireworks.

Later yesterday, the torch was slated to be carried by outgoing Chelsea player Didier Drogba. The 34-year-old, who revealed he was quitting Chelsea on Tuesday, just days after his match-winning performance in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, will carry the torch through Swindon.

The torch will also be carried by the Queen's granddaughter Zara Philips, who will be on horseback as she parades with the convoy down Cheltenham's famous racecourse.*AFP

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Olympic torch takes wrong turn