THE passing of the Olympic Torch through Kirtlington this week was one of the biggest days in the village’s history, according to parish council chairman David Pratt.

About 2,000 people lined the streets and waved flags in the village near Kidlington on Monday.

Schoolchildren and residents cheered as the flame was carried through the village during the torch relay.

Parish council chairman David Pratt said: “The visit of the Olympic Torch was certainly one of the biggest days in the village’s history.

“There are only about 800 residents but there were more than twice that number gathering to welcome the torch. We were extremely proud to host the torch and to be on the route as the torch passed through Oxfordshire.

“It will be remembered and talked about for a long time by the village. It was nice because everyone was happy – laughing, shouting and waving bunting and balloons.

“The parish council was very proud to have it come through and we had a lot of compliments saying how pretty the village was. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The flame was carried through Kirtlington by Debra Toney, 56, of Las Vegas, and Gerry Darley, 24, of High Wycombe.

Dr Toney was nominated for the honour by Coca-Cola and is the president and owner of TLC Health Care Services in Nevada.

She is also president of the National Black Nurses Association and serves on the nominating group of the US Food and Drug Administration.

Mr Darley fell into a coma after being left for dead in a hit-and-run incident in France. Doctors thought he could be brain damaged and never see again.

But, through endurance and determination, he recovered and qualified as a rugby coach.

l See pictures from the relay at oxfordmail.co.uk/pictures/oxfordshire_galleries/olympic_torch_relay/