A YOUNG congregation member from a village church near York has been chosen to carry the Olympic flame when it comes to our region next week.

Charlotte Brown, 20, will carry the torch through Richmond on Wednesday, after being nominated for the honour by friends Christine Biglin and Jenny Tham, who are both wardens at All Saints’ Church in Long Marston, where Charlotte helps out and is a regular member of the congregation.

Miss Biglin said: “Charlotte has been a regular member of the congregation since her birth.

“She attended the Church Primary School in our village and helps with the Youth Week held each July at another church within the benefice, and has recently begun to lead services. She is also on our hospitality rota and helps greet the congregation and serve tea and coffee after our services.

“She has been a member of our PCC for over a year and is one of the youngest PCC members in the diocese. We have watched Charlotte grow into a mature, caring, helpful Christian – she’s a bright flame in this place.”

The two church wardens said the nominated Charlotte on behalf of the whole parochial parish council.

Charlotte, who works at Home To Home nursery in York, said she was “really excited” to have been chosen to carry the Olympic Flame.

She said: “I can’t really believe it, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.