PENSIONER Christine Carter has been trying on her new tracksuit to make sure she is ready to carry the Olympic Torch through Oxford.

“I’ve had the trousers taken up to make sure they are the right length because I don’t want to trip,” said Mrs Carter, 85, from Old Marston.

The great-grandmother has been chosen as one of the torchbearers in Oxford in recognition of her work at the Oxsrad Sport for All Centre in Marston and Oxford Town Hall tea dances.

The widow and mum-of-two, who worked at a fabrics company in Old Marston for 20 years, found out she had been chosen to carry the torch in March.

She added: “I was shattered when I was told and thought ‘this can not be happening to me’ but now I’m glad I have been chosen and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I think I will be carrying the torch about 300m, possibly along Barns Road, and I will take it slowly and enjoy the atmosphere.

“My tracksuit is white and gold and looks very smart and I’m really looking forward to carrying the torch, and going along to the event in South Park afterwards. I’m hoping my friends and family will come and cheer me on.”