Home with flare sought for beacon

The flame was seen at London's millennium party

A new home is being sought for the flame used by the Queen to light the Millennium Beacon in London.

The flame had been kept alive at St Nicholas Church in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, since its starring role two years ago.

But the 12th-century church needs extensive restoration work, and the flame has been moved temporarily to the Suffolk home of the businessman who masterminded the celebrations.

Bruno Peek, of Lowestoft, said: "Ideally I'd like it to stay in this area because that's where it has always been."

Charity funds

The flame had been kept in a glass lantern and fired by oil.

Mr Peek, who was also behind the beacons which marked the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, is keeping it going with candles.

He said: "It's travelled around the UK and been used to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.

"So I want to keep it going and hopefully raise more money."

He said the new home did not have to be in a church.

But he warned that any potential host faced insurance problems because of the fire risks.