FORMER Minehead Mayor and stalwart charity fundraiser Meigan Lyons has spoken of her pride after being picked to play a pivotal role in the run-up to the Paralympics.

Mrs Lyons, who lives in Whitegate Close, Minehead, was nominated by the charity Act 4 Africa to carry the Paralympic torch on its final leg from Stoke Mandeville Hospital to the Olympic Stadium.

She was part of five-woman team of torchbearers who carried the torch through Harrow last Wednesday in recognition of their support for the charity.

Meigan herself has spent many years fundraising for Act 4 Africa and, through the organisation, has visited Africa to help with Aids and HIV prevention education.

Over the past four years alone she has raised more than £5,000 with a tombola at local events, quiz evenings and fundraising lunches and coffee mornings.

Now in her mid 70s, Meigan is still a keen sportswoman and she was more than equal to the task of carrying the torch.

"My time carrying the torch was short but it was something I will never forget - in fact, it will go down as one of the most memorable days of my life.

"It was an amazing, humbling, wonderful day and I was privileged to have been part of it," Meigan said.

She will continue her fundraising for Act 4 Africa, with the charity's latest campaign aiming to help an additional five million young Africans gain access to health education and HIV screening and counselling.

Her next fundraising quiz night will be on November 9, while the monthly lunches take place in St Andrew's Church, Minehead.