School pupils take the torch honour (From Gazette)

School pupils take the torch honour

9:23am Sunday 24th June 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

NINE pupils got the unique chance to run together with the Olympic flame in Accrington.

Natalie Williams, a teacher at St Christopher’s CE High School, took the flame initially.

The school had selected nine pupils including Katie Rennolds, and Jamie Sharpley, both members of the Burnley Bobcats; Josh Murphy, 15, from Accrington, an excellence sports leader and sports performer; Oakley Woodhouse, 15, from Blackburn, who represents England at the United Nations of Ju-jitsu and the British and world champion for kata and weapons.

As well as netball player Lucy Crawford, 16, from Burnley; Gareth Hill, 17, from Burnley, and Matthew Jenneys, 18, from Oswaldtwistle, whole school sports captains; and Cameron Holt, 14, from Blackburn, who plays badminton for Lancashire and Ben Anforth, 14, from Burnley, who has been has been through major surgery including a tracheostomy to enable him to breathe.

The pupils who ran in a diamond formation taking it in turn to carry the torch were also supported by teacher Steve Whitehead from Burnley.

Standing at the start line Gareth Hill said: “It’s such a big honour to be given this task. I am really nervous.

“So many people have turned out to support us though which is really excited.”

Fellow pupil Lucy Crawford said: “It is so nerve racking. I really hope I don’t drop it.”

Cameron Holt, who parents Tina and David, brothers Niall, 13, and and Rhys, 16, cheered him along the route said: “It was a really good t have the chance to take part. The torch was lighter than I imagined and it was top heavy so when we were passing it between us I was really nervous in case I dropped.

“Luckily, than didn’t happen. I had lots of fun.”