The Olympic Torch Relay – which will be presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK when it begins in Land's End in Cornwall on May 19 and the primary objective of the dress rehearsal is to test the convoy, crew and communications procedures in advance of the 70-day relay.

It has been stressed by the organisers that the dress rehearsal is not designed to encourage people to line the streets as the convoy passes through communities.

The Leicester to Peterborough stretch has been selected as it represents a typical but technically challenging day on the relay.

The 80-mile route takes in both rural and urban locations and allows every element of the relay to be tested including convoy splits – when a Torchbearer splits from the convoy to take in a route the convoy cannot access – and alternate modes of transport, including a train and a rescue boat.

"The dress rehearsal will give us the chance to test many of our operations around the Olympic Torch Relay," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"Test events are a vital part of our operations in preparing for all of the events that are part of the 2012 Games.

"The Olympic Torch Relay will be the UK's moment to shine.

"We are looking forward to showcasing the historical and social diversity of the UK and celebrating the achievements of the Torchbearers when the Relay starts its journey in May."

While the day starts in Leicester and finishes in Peterborough, the test convoy will travel through Quorn, Loughborough, Hoton, Wymeswold, Asfordby, Melton Mowbray, Langham, Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford.

Details of the exact vehicle numbers and roads to be taken will be released by London 2012 and the host local authorities in March to ensure the host communities have time to plan and make arrangements for the day.

London 2012 are also looking to work with the 100 inspirational people for the test event including participants from the Royal College of the Blind and Loughborough College, with the Universities of Leicester, De Montfort, Loughborough and Northampton set to carry unlit Torches.

The Torches carried on the day will not be lit as the Olympic Flame is not lit until May 10 in Olympia in Greece.

As with the relay itself, each participant in the test event will have an inspirational story and will have their nomination supported by their place of study.

Podium, the further and higher education unit for the 2012 Games, is working with the six institutions to find students who inspire others and make a difference to their school or community.

Local authorities from the rehearsal route will also nominate participants and all three presenting partners admitted they are delighted to be involved in the testing.

"The Olympic Torch Relay will be amazing and we're really looking forward to putting our plans to the test at the dress rehearsal," said the Coca-Cola Company Olympic Torch Relay director James Williams.

"We can't wait for May when the Relay begins and we can start celebrating the inspirational Coca-Cola Future Flames who have been chosen to be Olympic Torchbearers."

Sally Hancock, director of the 2012 partnership and group sponsorship at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "As the National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Lloyds TSB is bringing the Olympic Flame closer to our customers and communities.

"The test event brings us one step closer to the start of the relay and the moment when every corner of Britain will start to feel the excitement of London 2012."

Sunny Hwang, the vice-president and head of global sports marketing at Samsung Electronics, added: "Samsung believes the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will bring memorable and inspirational moments to everyone in the UK and around the world.

"We will play a key role in delivering the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay and make our every effort to ensure seamless operation through a complete full dress rehearsal."

The rehearsal is the culmination of a series of operational relay tests which have already taken place which have focused on a range of areas including torch performance, hotel operations and the vehicle convoy.

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