A ROUNDABOUT in the town will be ringing out the Olympic spirit after a colourful makeover.

Nearly 2,000 flowers and herbs, including marigolds, begonias and parsley, have been planted to create the iconic Olympic rings on the Transfer Bridges roundabout in celebration of the Games.

The vibrant flowerbed, funded by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), are not the only Olympic-themed floral tribute.

Therapeutic Work in Gardening Swindon (TWIGS) has created a feature of flowers and steel rings, mirroring the Olympic rings, at the Live Site in Wharf Green, which will be unveiled when the Games begin on Friday, July 27.

Torchbearer Damien Davies, an IT manager from Cricklade, said: “I think it’s a fantastic idea to have the rings brightening up one of our roundabouts and the display at the Live Site sounds wonderful.

“When the Torch came to Swindon it was such a special day for the town. Now I’m really looking forward to the excitement of the Games and I’ll definitely be watching some of the action on the Big Screen.”

The loss of close friend Wayne Wilson to leukaemia spurred Damien, 36, into action last year.

Together with Wayne’s brother Carl and four friends, Team Wayne raised more than £9,000 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research by climbing the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales: Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

He said: “I’m lucky because I’ve still got my moment of holding the Torch for Team Wayne to come – I’ll be running in Ludgershall next month.”

Swindon is one of just 22 places in the country designated as a Live Site, at the Big Screen.

This means people can watch all the sporting action as the Games unfold until August 12.

There’s also a jam-packed schedule of events and activities to show how fun and varied sport can be. With more than 20 different demonstrations and taster sessions on offer, there’s something for everyone.

Ranging from basketball to boccia – a game of seated bowling – the activities are free and open to all.

Councillor Garry Perkins, Lead Member for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s brilliant that Swindon is embracing the spirit of the Olympics.”