INSPIRATIONAL characters from across the region have been offered their moment to shine by carrying the Olympic torch next summer.

Hundreds of people have been invited to be torchbearers when the flame arrives in the country before the London games begin next July.

All the torchbearers have been deemed worthy representatives of the nation – with stories of personal achievement or contributions to the community.

In total, 6,800 people have been offered a place in the torch relay and their places will be confirmed once background checks have been completed by next March.

At that stage, they will be told which 300-metre stretch of the route they will carry the Olympic flame along.

It will travel through the North-East in mid-June, visiting Alnwick, Newcastle, Durham and Middlesbrough, before going on to York and then south. Among the torchbearers will be Robert Ellis, named npower Leading Light at The Northern Echo’s Local Heroes sports awards in 2003.

Mr Ellis, 53, of Spennymoor, County Durham, founded Spennymoor Boxing Academy in 1991.

He said: “It is a great honour.

To have been given such a one-off special chance to do something like this is amazing.

“I’m proud to represent the town, the club and it is really nice to get something back after the work that has gone into the club.”

Shaun Campbell, who established the Arthur Wharton Foundation to honour the world’s first black professional footballer, whose career included a spell in Darlington, will also carry the torch.

Mr Campbell, who lives and runs a business in Darlington, said: “It’s an honour and a privilege. I would like to thank the person who nominated me. I’m honoured that a group of people see me fit to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which few people have, and carry the torch.

“I will be carrying it for Arthur.”

He added: “I think it’s a wonderful thing for the country to be hosting such a magnificent event. It will no doubt help grassroots sports – an area of my interest – to develop. My hope is that the legacy is filtered through to local communities.”

Also offered a torchbearer role is Mick Riding, 54, from Newcastle.

He established North Shields hockey club initially for a school and now spends much of his spare time mentoring boys and developing the club’s teams.

And Jess Colborn, 18, of Hexham, Northumberland, who suffered a stroke two years ago and now helps the Stroke Association educate people about stroke prevention, will also be involved.

Jess also hopes to run the Great North Run in 2012.

􀁧 Have you been invited to carry the Olympic torch next summer, if so call The Northern Echo on 01325-505065.