FIVE residents in the Okehampton area are among the 8,000 inspiring people across Great Britain chosen to be torchbearers for this summer's Olympic Torch relay.

Bea Holman-Brooks, Jack Gibbons and Andy Vallance from Okehampton and Hannah Lavell from Highampton have all been confirmed as torchbearers for the torch relay in May as it passes through the region.

West Devon Olympic hopeful and pistol shooter Georgina Geikie will also run a leg of the relay through Okehampton.

People were chosen right across the UK for personal achievement and for contributions to their community.

Bea, 14, was nominated by her mother, father, grandparents, and a family friend to become a torchbearer following her brave fight with leukaemia.

Bea went through 28 months of gruelling treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, including chemotherapy, lumbar punctures and taking other medicines. She is now in full remission.

Bea has fundraised for CLIC Sargent since her diagnosis, organising fundraising golf days that have raised almost £30,000 for the charity.

She will carry the Torch through Knowle. Bea's mother, Helen Holman, said: 'It is fantastic news that Bea has been chosen, I think she is quite excited about the whole thing.

'She will be watching the Olympics on television, and it is a once in a lifetime event to be part of.'

Hannah Lavell, 21, is a resident at Burdon Grange Care Home in Highampton who lives with cerebral palsy. In the two and a half years she has lived at the home, she has worked in the British Red Cross charity shop in Torrington, completed an NVQ at Halwill Primary School, and is now working toward her diploma.

Hannah was nominated to become a torch-bearer by the home's matron, Janice Sowden. She nominated Hannah for her positive and independent attitude, and in recognition of her achievements throughout her time at Burdon Grange. She will carry the torch through Ilfracombe.

Mrs Sowden said: 'She's really excited about the news that she will be carrying the torch. It's a fair way to travel and there may be some practicality issues, but we will get her there and as many of the residents as possible to cheer her on.

'Everyone at the home is really pleased for her, and it's an exciting time. It'd be difficult due to practicality issues to get our residents up to London to watch the Games live, but this is our way of getting involved, and everyone here is looking forward to London 2012.'

Andy Vallance is chairman of the Okehampton Running Club. He is one of the founding members, helping set up the club back in February 2009.

In 2007 and 2009, Andy took part in bike rides from John O'Groats to Land's End, and has run numerous marathons to raise money primarily for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

He was nominated to become a torch-bearer by his sister, Michelle, for his charity work and contribution to sport in the town. He will carry the Olympic Flame through Torquay.

Andy said: 'It is brilliant news, I am absolutely chuffed to bits. I have been very excited about the London Olympics, and was very disappointed when I didn't get tickets, like the majority of people who applied to get some.

'I applied for as many as I could get, and sadly didn't get any. So this helps to completely make up for that. It really is something special.'

Jack Gibbons, 15, will carry the torch through Folly Gate. Nominated by his best friend, Alfie Hawker, Jack attends Okehampton College and is preparing for his GCSEs. On the day he is running, he is due to be taking one of his exams. Thanks to special dispensation from the college, he will take the exam early in the morning to ensure he can take part in the relay.

Jack's father, Simon, said: 'Jack is very excited about being able to take part. He's got a great love for sport, as he is a very talented horse rider, and also loves running and playing cricket in the summer.

'It's quite something for him to be able to say that he has taken part in the Olympic Torch relay, really something to remember for his whole life.'

The five will carry the torch on May 21 with the exception of Andy, who will do so in?Torquay the day before.

The torch will be borne through Okehampton, Folly Gate and Hatherleigh on?May 21.

l See page 6 for a map of the route and times.