RESIDENTS, employees and drivers are being urged to plan ahead for when the Olympic Torch is carried through Ascot and Bracknell on Tuesday, July 10.

Road closures, diversions and parking restrictions will be in place.

The torch is due to arrive in Ascot from Egham in a convoy at 4.26pm, in London Road at the Wellswood junction.

It will then go along Ascot High Street - with a stop at Ascot Racecourse where a torchbearer on horseback will carry it around the parade ring - then on to the entrance of Heatherwood Hospital.

The torch will then be driven in a convoy to Bracknell, for 5.31pm, then torchbearers will take the flame along the A329, starting at the junction with New Forest Ride, by the Mercedes Benz garage.

It will then continue along the A329, past the Running Horse pub, past Bracknell and Wokingham College, then on Millennium Way near Garth Hill College and by Waitrose.

The torch will then go left at the Western Roundabout into Skimped Hill Lane to the exit for the Peel Centre, to be taken by convoy to Reading at 6pm for an evening celebration.

There will be a temporary road closure on the A329 through Bracknell for at least an hour.

The council is warning there will be some disruption, particularly to residents and businesses along the route or in Eastern Road and Larges Lane.

It will depend on the size of the crowd whether eastbound traffic will be able to pass.

A parking ban will be in force on the A329 between the junction of New Forest Ride and the Met Office Roundabout and drivers are being warned vehicles left there may be towed away There will be a signed diversion for through traffic along Harvest Ride and local access along Lily Hill Drive and Longhill Road.

Council and other public car parks will be open as usual. Blue Badge holders can park free in Car Park Seven on the northern side of The Ring opposite Easthampstead House from 4pm.

See www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/london2012 or www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/london2012_torch_relay.htm