Kathleen Jones is carrying the torch for 440 metres

Kathleen Jones, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, was nominated to be a torchbearer by her son Stephen, 14.

He was so impressed with her attitude after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and despite a year of treatment she gained her martial arts black belt.

She showed courage and now helps to teach children to show what they can do with a positive attitude.

The Olympic flame started a 31-mile journey across London at 1100 BST on Saturday starting at Wimbledon.

Took determination''

The first four-minute miler Sir Roger Bannister and Tim Henman were the first torch bearers and others involved are Sir Steve Redgrave and Heather Mills-McCartney.

Mrs Jones, 47, was nominated by her son after a nationwide search by Samsung for unsung heroes to join the team to carry the torch.

She is one of 146 runners and will run 400 metres with the torch on Saturday afternoon.

Her son Stephen said: "After she got cancer she had to stay out for a year so she lost all her fitness.

"And it took a lot of determination to get back to where she was and achieve something and there are not many people who can say they have done that."

The torch relay started in Sydney, Australia, on 4 June and is travelling through 26 countries and 33 cities before arriving back in Athens for the Olympic Games.