Braving unseasonal snow and chilly weather, hundreds of people including sizeable number of pro-Tibetan campaigners had lined up the route as the torch relay passed through Ladbroke Grove, British Museum and China Town.

Champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave began what turned out to be a chaotic relay taking the torch out of the newly renovated Wembley stadium.

Three people were arrested when protesters tried to board the bus carrying the torch from the stadium after dodging the police.

Protesters later tried to snatch the torch from former Blue peter presenter Konnie Huq and a fire extinguisher was let off.

At least 10 arrests have been made from various places following clashes between pro-Tibet protesters, police said.

Police in hundreds provided a protective ring around the torch as it was carried by bus, foot, boat and light railway past some of London's most iconic sights.

Pro-Tibet campaigners had appealed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown not to welcome the torch in Downing Street and to boycott the Beijing Olympics unless China opened talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.