A BUDDING marathon runner got the chance to touch the torch bearing the Olympic Flame during a holiday to Greece.

Debbie Halton, 40, from Newton Aycliffe, was in Zante with her husband, Ray, and 12-year-old son, Corey, when she found out that the torch would be visiting the island, prior to arriving in Athens for the games.

"We went down into Zante town in the evening and watched as the torch was lit," she said. "We were able to hold it.

"The best part about it was that I'm doing my first marathon in October so to hold the torch really inspired me."

Mrs Halton, who works for Orange in Darlington, plans to run the Loss Ness marathon with Ray.

She said: "I have watched my husband run marathons for years and now he's helping me train for one too.