HAMPSHIRE honoured its Olympic heroes and mark the countdown to London 2012 by taking part in a spectacular nationwide flag raising ceremony today. At exactly 2.30pm, specially designed flags flew at venues across the country to coincide with the handover ceremony in Beijing. A relay of Olympic sports - motor boats, rowers, cyclists and runners - delivered the flag to Southampton Civic Centre where there was a big screen to show the handover in Beijing. While on the Isle ofWight a huge spinnaker bearing the London 2012 logo was hoisted in front of the Island`s most famous landmark, the Needles. The celebrations are also an opportunity for the county to salute its Olympic heroes who were integral to Team GB`s most successful games since 1908. The seaside New Forest town of Lymington has extra reason to party after three of its sailors bagged medals in Qingdao.

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