ALTHOUGH the Olympic torch is right on our doorstep, some Comet country residents will also be carrying the flame slightly further afield on Sunday.

After visiting Letchworth GC and Stevenage, the torch will stop off in Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead before the day ends at Luton.

Letchworth GC resident John Eastwell will be completing his leg of the relay in St Albans.

The 81-year-old has been a member of North Herts Bowls Club for more than 17 years, spending many hours on projects to improve the facilities at the green.

He said: “I was amazed when I found I was to become a torchbearer, never imagining this honour could come my way. There must be hundreds of people who do amazing things to make a difference in their communities who would merit this honour more than I. It is good to see the Olympics coming to this country and it is a pleasure to be a part of it in the Torch Relay”.

Hannah Gallaher, 12, a pupil at Princess Helena College who lives in Langley End, and Stevenage resident Claire Weston, 34, will also be carrying the flame through St Albans.

Stevenage resident Fred Gormer will be taking part in Welwyn Garden City.

The 63-year-old works at MBDA in Stevenage and is long-term friend of athlete John Mayor who will be carrying the torch through the town.

Fred became friends with John through running in 1983, and since hanging up his spikes has developed a passion for photography.

He said: “I’m not nervous I’m just so excited about it. I’m worried about the weather a little bit but mainly for the people that are going to come and watch. It’s a chance of a lifetime to do this.”

The day after the torch goes through Hertfordshire Stevenage Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton will be running with the flame in Luton.

Kevin Lawlor, 54, will also be taking part in the Luton leg on Monday.

The Hitchin resident has ran more than 400 marathons since the inaugural Stevenage Marathon in 1984.

*The Comet wants you to be our eyes on the day so send in your pictures to editorial@thecomet.net or submit them via www.iwitness24.co.uk

The best images will be published in our online gallery and could feature in print next week.

There will also be Comet reporters at both legs, so use #Comettorch to follow the action as events unfold via social networking site Twitter.