Protesters tried to grab the Olympic torch off former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq as the parade made its way through London today.

Ms Huq, from Chiswick, was one of a number of celebrities and sports stars to carry the torch along the 31-mile London parade.

But the journey was marred by pro-Tibetan protesters who accosted her and others, with police arresting 30 people.

The protests over China's human rights record began as Sir Steve Redgrave, the five times Olympic gold medallist rower, started the parade at Wembley.

The demonstrations continued as pentathlete Denise Lewis carried the flame to Downing Street.

Several small scuffles occurred as about 500 people in Whitehall and 2,000 near the British Museum gathered to watch the parade.

Pro-China supporters also tried to demonstrate, holding Chinese and Olympic flags chanting "one China".

Speaking to BBC News 24, Ms Huq said she was "a bit bashed about" but not seriously hurt.

She added: "I always said my taking part in the procession doesn't mean I condone China in any way.

"I believe in the Olympic values, the Olympic ideals, it's just unfortunate that China has such a terrible track record when it comes to human rights and they are the host nation."

Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will complete the relay before lighting the Olympic cauldron in front of 5,000 spectators.

Then follows a concert at the O2 Arena headlined by the Sugababes, before the torch leaves for Paris.

The flame was lit in Greece last week and will travel through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on August 8.