Snow covers London ahead of Olympic torch relay

By Avril Ormsby

LONDON (Reuters) - Snow fell across London on Sunday before an Olympic torch relay through the capital that is expected to attract anti-China protests.

About 80 athletes and celebrities will carry the torch by foot, bike, boat and bus during a 31-mile (50-km) journey starting at Wembley Stadium and ending in Greenwich.

The 2008 Games take place in Beijing from August 8 to 24. The next Summer Olympics are in London in 2012.

Anti-China protesters are set to appear at key points along the route. Police have said they will be dealt with firmly if they try to disrupt the torch's journey.

The event has drawn "substantial" interest from groups who plan to stage protests against China's human rights record and its crackdown on independence campaigners in Tibet, Scotland Yard has said.

Police have been notified of at least six protests, including one outside Downing Street where Prime Minister Gordon Brown is due to greet the flame, carried by a local schoolboy.

About 2,000 police officers will be on duty during the day, including some on bicycles to keep up with the torch.

Organisers will be hoping no more torchbearers drop out of the event after a handful withdrew in the run-up to Sunday.