MY excitement at Wednesdays's announcement that Bowness would host an overnight stop for the Olympic Torch Relay could not be held back as I bounced into the office.

As the news was unveiled 18 months of hard graft by the Cumbria 2012 Steering Group had been recognised and sleepy Cumbria was going to be broadcast internationally.

I was very, very excited by the news. For me the Olympics is not only the pinnacle of sport, but also a very inspirational event which stems much further than the 500-600 athletes we will be represented by next summer.

In my mind, I know I have watched the Olympics ever since Seoul - when I was probably too young to remember anything - but certainly from Barcelona in 1992.

And now Britain has the chance to be a part of it for the first, and more than likely, only time in my lifetime and it is the same for those of my generation.

While my absolute passion for all things Olympic has been at bursting point for the last few years, yesterday's news sent me into overdrive.

Not only could I possibly be reporting on the Olympics and Games related material, but now there was a realistic chance of seeing something iconic, inspirational and absolutely brilliant.

Yes, I have applied for tickets for the Games next summer, but the likelihood of all of us receiving tickets is minimal.

So instead I can now look forward to the torch passing my doorstep.

And this, whether you believe it or not, is a once in a lifetime thing.

There will be doubters asking why we would want it to come here and quoting the pessimistic 'it's in London, its got nothing to do with us'.

But to that I have to say look around - the buzz of the London Games is coming and if you don't jump on board and get excited with it now, you will soon be looking back with regret on missing the greatest show on earth.

Because at the end of the day, we haven't hosted the Olympics for 60 years, and it could be at least that long before we are considered again.

Even if we are given the Games again, the route for the torch relay is not going to be the same.

So make the most of this occasion.

Over the next year events will be held to mark the countdown to the Games and to drum up support for our athletes.

I just ask that people come on board the Olympic wagon and get behind our country.

While out and about in Bowness yesterday I interviewed several local people and I had to say I had huge respect for one businessman.

While he has no interest in the Olympics, he declined to comment on the story - not because he was worried about his face appearing in the paper - but because he didn't want to take away the excitement the rest of the town was basking in.

I was keen to have his comments to balance the views of the public for my piece, but he was adamant it was to be a good day for the hard work done, choosing not to be a 'damp squib' as he so kindly put it.

So whether you are a die-hard fan of the Olympics or could not be bothered with the hype, please don't miss out on the next 14 months because the Olympics and Paralympics offers not only Londoners something to be proud of, but all of the country, including the corners of Cumbria.

When that torch comes through Cumbria next summer, enjoy it and treasure the moment because it will be a long time in coming again.