PUPILS from the district have expressed their delight at being chosen to be Olympic torch bearers.

Scarlett Stock, 15, is a year 11 pupil at St John’s School in Epping and will be carrying the Olympic torch through Maldon in Essex on July 6.

She was nominated to be an Olympic torch bearer by her teachers after winning the Princess Diana Award for volunteering to help children and the elderly and her work on Epping Youth Council, campaigning on issues for young people in the district.

Ms Stock, who lives in Silver Birch Avenue, North Weald, said: “I am a bit overwhelmed really.

“When my teachers found out they came up to me screaming and hugged me. As with anything that is a bit exciting it is a bit scary but I am really excited and it is such an honour.”

Fellow St John’s pupil Daniel Spillman, 16, of Chapel Road in Epping, was nominated by his family after volunteering to teach pupils at Epping Primary School how to play tennis and coaching children in India.

He will be carrying the Olympic torch through Colchester on July 6.

He said: “This will be a once in a lifetime experience.

“I am a little bit nervous but more excited than anything. I have been keeping track of how the preparations were going since the Olympics were first awarded to the UK and it will be amazing to be a part of it.

“My family was really happy. My nan was ringing all of her friends to tell them.”

The flame will land at Land’s End in Cornwall on May 19.

It will make its way through 1,018 places on its way to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on July 27.