AN OKEHAMPTON netball enthusiast has been given the chance to rub shoulders with the stars after she was nominated to carry the Olympic torch next year.

Angela Herrod-Taylor, 53, has spent her life encouraging people to play netball in her local community, setting up both the ladies and junior ladies netball leagues in Okehampton.

In association with Lloyds TSB, members of the public are being encouraged to nominate the person they believe most deserves to carry the Olympic flame as it tours the UK and Angela has been one of the first to be picked out.

Her former teammate and lifelong friend Wendy Raymond nominated Angela and the classroom assistant at South Tawton Primary could scarcely hide her surprise.

'I couldn't believe it when Wendy said she was going to nominate me,' said Angela.

'Wendy's been a close friend of mine for many years who I met through netball when I was setting up the league over 18 years ago and it's a real honour for my hard work to be recognised.

'Everything I have done for netball has been voluntary in my own time because I am a teacher first and foremost but I love this sport.

'I think it's such a wonderful team game and I love promoting physical activity amongst the youth and netball is a great way to get young girls running about hence why I set up the junior league seven years ago.'

Mrs Herrod-Taylor, who used to teach PE at Tavistock College, missed out on tickets for the Olympics when they come to London next year.

And the 53-year-old was delighted to have this second chance at getting involved in as important event as London 2012.

'It would just be an amazing honour to get the chance to carry the torch and one that I really can't ever imagine happening to someone like me,' she added.

'But I really do love the Olympics, I have always been a massive sports fan and used to be a pretty good long jumper who competed in the nationals when I was still in school.

'There aren't many sports that I don't love, so being nominated to be a torch bearer has gone some way to cheering me up after missing out on the tickets.

To nominate yourself or someone else to be a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer with Lloyds TSB, visit http://www.lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame">www.lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame.

Nominations close on 12 September.