THE Commonwealth Games baton which has travelled 60,000 miles through 24 countries on five continents and through the hands of some of the world's most famous people arrived in Skipton with barely a murmur of excitement.

There were no streets lined with crowds of people, as has been commonplace in many other towns, no bands, and no dignitaries waving through the heroic relay runners.

In just 20 minutes the chance for Skipton to embrace being part of the country's biggest sporting event this year, was missed.

Those few who did turn out saw Nellie Thornton, of Ilkley, Shirley Collins, of Hemsworth, Ruth Emery, of Keighley, Isobel O'Mara, of Pontefract, Eric Gledhill, of Long Preston, John Bale, of Sheffield, Mike Doyle, of Skipton, and Richard Collinsons, of Bristol, make their mark on the Commonwealth Games.

The relay ran from the Hanover International Hotel, along Keighley Road, up the High Street and up the Bailey.

They saw the world famous Queen's Jubilee Baton containing Her Majesty's commonwealth message, and a light which pulses in time with the runner's heartbeat.

Andrew Gibson, of Hellifield, called at Skipton Town Hall offices on the morning of the relay to see if everything was running to time only to be surprised that no-one there knew what was going on.

He asked why no-one had planned any live music or welcome committee.

"If it had been a politician coming through there would have been tannoys announcing everything. It is typical apathy," he said.

He added that this should have been an opportunity for a small, thriving market town like Skipton to get everyone out on the streets.

However, those runners actually taking part enjoyed their few minutes of fame.

Mr Gledhill, who ran part of Keighley Road, said: "It was a fabulous day - a real buzz. Everyone involved had a good time."

He still does not know who in Long Preston nominated him for the relay. He was selected for his services to the Long Preston Playing Fields' Association.

Modern technology meant that county and district councillor Mike Doyle's daughter Tao could keep track of her father's 200m run up the Bailey.

She is in Egypt and received a text message from her father as he was setting off. He was pleased to receive her best wishes in return before his few minutes of fame.

Wife Jen recorded the moment on digital camera and pictures winged their way to Tao in Egypt straight away.

Coun Doyle said he enjoyed his involvement. He said the policewoman running alongside him told him to slow down at one point as they were ahead of schedule.

"But by the time we got to the top of the hill I got the impression that she had more steam left than I had!" he said.

Coun Doyle said he was disappointed that school children were not able to watch the relay, but thought organisers had not circulated information through participating towns very well.

Anyone who wanted to watch had been forced to find information themselves from the internet.

Hannah Beck, her brother Christopher and friend Annabel Varley, all of Gargrave, ran legs of the relay through Queensbury, on July 4. The trio of skiers who compete nationally and in Europe were nominated by Sport Aid after applying for grants.

Stuart Lane, of Skipton, carried the baton in Bingley and chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Steve Macare ran a leg in Harrogate.

Jane Tomlinson, who hit national headlines in April when she completed the London Marathon despite suffering from terminal cancer, was due to carry the baton in Leeds yesterday (Thursday) before handing it over to the Queen.

Jane's parents-in-law, Jack and Alice Tomlinson, live in Settle where friends, neighbours and family have helped her to raise more than £20,000 for Cancer Research UK.