A COMMUNITY champion honoured by a royal command to run in the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay is disappointed that he won't be running through Leigh.

The nearest the round Britain curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games gets to the town is Hindley, and marathon man Steve Redford, one of 5,000 runners, who will run 500 yards with the baton, which carries a message from the Queen, is saddened by the town's omission.

The 53-years-old iron man, who has completed 37 marathons and in 1989 raised £35,000 for charity from a twin towers run from Paris to Blackpool, joked: "I won't have to train for my 500 yard leg from Stopford Street to Brown Street, along Manchester Road, Ince, but I thought I could create a stir by taking a diversion through Leigh. I decided against it though in case I end up in the Tower.

"I am passionate about Leigh and feel upset that we have been left off the route. One consolation at least is that we are represented by people who care about the community."

Steve, of Lightburne Avenue, is one of six local people chosen to carry the baton.

The others are baker David Potter, 42, of Glebe Street, Leigh, who has been allocated to run a stretch of Bury New Road, Bolton, Tracey North, of Leigh, John Shepherd of Atherton, Rebecca Tarry of Astley and Darrell Lawton, of Hindley.

David, who has worked at Asda for 27 years, started in the Leigh store bakery in February and was nominated by colleagues for the work he did in helping in the changeover when Walmart took over last year.

He said: "I was surprised when told I had to report to Bolton Town Hall, but I don't think I'll have to do any training to jog the distance. I'm looking forward to the exprience."

The baton will pass through the borough from Orrell to Hindley on July 23, passing Makerfield Way, the Hookery Brook pub on Atherton Road, onto Market Street, Castle Hill Road and Wigan Road, Hindley, and along the A58 to the Westhoughton boundary, between 3.04pm and 3.23pm.