A FORMER Newport police officer will accompany the Olympic flame around the UK to ensure it reaches the opening ceremony safely on July 27.

Sergeant Rhys Peters served with Gwent Police for seven years before transferring to Metropolitan Police to work in Ealing in 2007.

He is part of a 70-strong team that will police the route and will complete a number of legs, including Newport, after being selected from 664 applicants.

His parents, who currently live in Slovenia, will also make the trip back to Wales to see their son running through their home town.

Sgt Peters, 31, has been training every day for the past three months in preparation for the challenge, which will see him running up to 30 miles a day.

The keen sportsman, who has competed in various events for the Metropolitan Police, said: “I am really looking forward to participating in a unique opportunity that will never come up again in my working lifetime, carrying out a job that I was very fortunate to be chosen for.”

The Torch Security Team is made up of 35 runners, plus motorcyclists and cyclists, who will travel with the flame from the moment it is handed over in Athens until it arrives at the Olympic Stadium.

The relays start on May 18. It will come through Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Newport on May 25, and Caerphilly on May 26.