August 24, 2008 18:27

Page and Lewis mark London Olympic countdown start

They meet on a Routemaster bus in China

Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page was joined by X Factor winner Leona Lewis for a burst of Zep classic 'Whole Lotta Love' during the handover of the Olympic flame from Beijing to London.

The pair emerged from the iconic bus as it was morphed and transformed into the London skyline during the brief performance at the Birds Nest stadium in Beijing earlier today.

Their performance was part of the official handover ceremony that marked the end of the Beijing Games and the run-in to the London event in 2012.

There were a host of other events across Britain to mark the occasion. Large screens were erected in cities nationwide to carry the Beijing performances, while acts including Queen performed at Buckingham Palace.

Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps was also on hand in London.