MEET the torchbearers who will be carrying the flame through Stevenage on Sunday.

Luca Wells, 12, will be the first person to run with the torch through his hometown.

The Thomas Alleyne pupil, who was put forward by the school because of his sporting and academic achievements, said: “When I got the news I couldn’t believe it. It’s sinking in now as it’s only a couple of days away but it just seemed surreal when I was chosen. I’m a bit nervous but I’m mainly looking forward to it.”

Gobi Ranganathan, 36, will be completing the final leg from the High Street to King George V Playing Fields before the convoy stops for lunch.

The Stevenage resident is currently the No.1 British Men’s singles wheelchair badminton player and was nominated by the Stevenage Community Trust for his sporting achievements.

He said: I’m really excited but nervous as well as I want it to go well. I’ve had great support from family and friends so hopefully there will be lots of familiar faces that will cheer me on.”

The badminton player said he will be attending an after-party at The Poacher pub in Bedwell as a thank you to those who raised money to pay for his torch.

John Mayor, 54, will have his torch lit as he takes it from King George V Playing Fields after the convoy has stopped for lunch.

The Stevenage athlete, who began as a marathon runner but turned to decathlon, said: “It’s a great honour and I feel very privileged to have been selected. I’ve been watching the relay on the BBC mainly to see what happens at the changeovers and it gives me goosebumps every time, so who knows what it’s going to be like on Sunday. Hopefully the whole town will come out to watch.”

Mr Mayor, who works at MBDA in the town, will then be showing off his torch to young athletes who will be missing the relay to compete in a track meeting at Ridlins Wood Athletics Track.

Other torchbearers who will be running with the flame are family support worker Carol Lewis, athlete Peter Norris, mountain scout leader Robert Mcvey, charity fundraiser Stefanie Daniels and two-time sailing Olympic gold medallist Sarah Gosling.

*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.