A BOXING councillor is set to help carry the Olympic torch from Oxford to Reading when the iconic flame tours Britain next year.

Banbury Town Council member Dave Earle will be among the 8,000 runners set to carry the torch from Land’s End to Olympic Stadium, London.

Conditional offers have been made to people with “exceptional stories” and will be confirmed by March for the May to July run.

Mr Earle, of Ruscote Avenue, runs Banbury’s Spit ’n’ Sawdust gym in North Bar Street and was nominated by his cousin for his sport work with youngsters, including visits to schools and colleges.

The Conservative councillor said: “I’m delighted. I run my own gym, I’ve been a boxer since I was young and I’ve been watching the Olympics forever. I always wanted to be in the Olympics and never thought I would be doing it this way.

“I’ve always been sports mad. It’s what I do.”

The relay visits the county on Tuesday, July 10, and Wednesday, July 11.

Mr Earle, 47, a Neithrop North councillor for four years, was twice British full-contact kickboxing champion.

Town council leader Kieron Mallon said: “It would be a great accolade for the town for Dave to carry the torch.

“He has been an ambassador for sport and deserves this honour.”