Youth attacks Olympic flame

The flame has suffered its second attack in a month

The Olympic torch came under attack for the second time in a month when a youth tried to douse the flame with a fire extinguisher.

The attack took place at Maclean in northern New South Wales and a 17-year-old man was arrested by torch security staff and handed over to local police.

According to New South Wales state police, he was later released into the custody of his father and no charges were laid.

A spokesman said the youth sprayed fire retardant at the torch but failed to put the flame out.

Maclean is situated about 550 kilometres north of Sydney, en route between the coastal cities of Ballina and Coffs Harbor.

Thursday's disruption followed a similar incident last month when a 19-year-old man jumped out of a crowd and snatched the Olympic flame from a torchbearer near Frankston in south east Melbourne.

Again no charges were laid and the incident was described as a prank.