AN 82-year-old woman who has devoted much of her life to looking after other people has been named as an Olympic torchbearer.

Eileen Gatward, of Parkstone, will be carrying the torch through part of Boscombe on July 14.

“I heard I was on the shortlist three months ago and heard for definite last week. It’s unbelievable,” she said.

She was nominated by son-in-law Rob Mills because of her years of service in home care and as a volunteer with St Peter’s Church in Lower Parkstone, the Mothers’ Union, Victim Support and Witness Support.

After breaking her leg in an accident a few years ago, it was touch and go as to whether Eileen would walk again, but she was determined to prove doctors wrong. She went on to recover from breaking the other leg six years later at the age of 80.

“It never dawned on her that at her age most people are receiving support from their community rather than continuing to give it. She is simply an inspiration,” said Rob.

Eileen has no plans to hurry through her section of the route. “I’ve got a metal plate in one leg and a pin in the other, so I can’t run, I can only walk,” she explained.

Also proudly taking part in the torch relay will be Boscombe and Springbourne neighbourhood warden David Hamilton, who was nominated by Cllr Anne Filer.

“It was a total surprise. I didn’t know it was going to be such a big deal. I’m not worried about doing it – it will be fun,” he said.

Although David lives and works in Bournemouth, he has been asked to carry the torch in Weymouth on the morning of Friday July 13. The torch will arrive in Bournemouth later the same day and there will a celebration event in the evening.