THE Olympic spirit has left a lasting impression on Bicknoller woman Susie Dowding, who this week completed her 15th shift as a volunteer driver at the London 2012 games.

Susie was based at the Excel Centre for the main Olympics and at Weymouth for the Paralympics.

And she described the atmosphere during both events as "fantastic" and the buzz around the Olympic village as "amazing."

"No wonder the athletes had such magnificent results with such a supercharged atmosphere," said Susie.

As a lifelong equestrian competitor, Susie had volunteered to help out at equestrian and tennis events.

But she believes her early years working as a cabin crew member on BEA Comets set her aside as someone who could be relied on to stay calm in any emergency and earned her the driving role.

Among her many passengers during her volunteering stint were the head of the International Equestrian Federation and the Prince of Denmark.

Susie weathered an early glitch before the games started when she had to drive a Belgian VIP from the City airport to Park Lane.

Although finding it thrilling to drive down the Olympic lanes, the journey was delayed by two hours and 45 minutes because the London cabbies were blockading the roads around Tower Bridge.

However, Susie's command of French meant she was able to calm her passenger's nerves - he had an important meeting almost as soon as he reached the hotel - and he reached his destination full of appreciation of the work done by all the volunteers.

Susie also had a meeting with the Russian fencing team - but on the London tube, rather than in a car.

They were keen to know all about the volunteers and how the games were organised.

"They were such a great bunch of lads and we immediately hit it off together and I was sorry not to be able to see them in action," she said.

"The games are something I will always treasure for their camaraderie and good humour and the magnificent boost they have given to the UK in general and sport in particular."