A SCHOOLGIRL will become part of history as she carries the Olympic flame on its journey through Swindon in May.

Kathryn Groarke-Oliver, 13, of Royal Wootton Bassett, is one of the 8,000 people chosen to carry the torch on its journey across the country.

And this morning she came face to face with 1948 Olympic torchbearer, Dick Griffiths, of Royal Wootton Bassett, as part of the announcement of the official flame route.

Kathryn, who is a pupil at Wootton Bassett School, said: “I am really excited. I nominated myself on the Coca-Cola website because I do Wootton Bassett life saving with the Otters swimming club. I didn’t think I would get it.

“They rang my house phone to say I was in the final round, but my mum didn’t know anything about it. She thought it was a joke.

“I will be really excited on the day, it’s amazing that I have got the opportunity to do it.”

The Olympic flame arrives in Swindon on May 23 and will travel up Kingshill, past the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, before turning down Victoria Road and reaching the town centre.

The torch relay will stop at Wharf Green, where the Big Screen is showcasing its travels, and will then navigate the Magic Roundabout and go up to Swindon College in North Star and the BMW Plant in Gipsy Lane.

It will visit Chiseldon, Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett before it reaches Swindon.

Dick Griffiths, 85, ran two-and-a-half miles through Buckinghamshire with the flame in 1948 when he was 22.

“I enjoyed every minute of it. I was hoping the chap who was taking over from me had lost his torch so I could carry on his run but he was there waiting,” he said.

“It is great to have the Olympics back here. I wish I was young enough to take part.”

The flame’s journey through Wiltshire will culminate in a festival of celebration in Salisbury on July 11 and Wootton Bassett School of Dance and Wootton Bassett Rocks, who were both at the announcement today, are hoping to take part.

Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor, Paul Heaphy, said: “The opportunity for the torch to come here and for the community to see it is just fantastic.”

Also among the torchbearers is Cricklade Town Council’s nomination, Sam Hutt, 17, who has represented the country in tennis at an international level.

Damien Davies, 36, of Cricklade, will also be carrying the torch.

For more information about the route visit www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay