A FORMER Kidderminster Paralympics multi-gold medallist will be among a host of celebrities chosen to carry the Olympic torch on a relay in London.

Chris Holmes, 31, is a veteran of the special games, competing in the category for visually impaired swimmers, most recently in Sydney four years ago.

Mr Holmes, now retired from the sport and working for a London law firm, described his selection to carry the torch on a leg of its tour of the capital in June as "a great honour".

He added: "I'm really excited by the prospect."

The 30-mile London stage of the flaming torch's trip en route to Athens for the Olympics takes place on the middle Saturday of the Wimbledon tennis championships, June 26, beginning at the All England Club.

Britain's number one tennis player, Tim Henman, is among those carrying the torch part of the way, with other celebrities taking part including Sir Steve Redgrave, Frank Bruno and Sally Gunnell.

"It's a historic occasion," said Mr Holmes, who competed in four Paralympics, explaining: "It was tremendous to be part of all those competitions."

His medal haul included nine golds, five silvers and one bronze in Seoul, Atlanta and Sydney. He rounded off his career with a silver in the 4x100m relay in Sydney.

Because of the opportunities he had been given through his participation, he had also tried to put something back into British sport by backing the country's bid to host the Olympics.

He is a lawyer specialising in corporate law in London and thinks his leg of the torch relay will be around The City.