A KIND-hearted teenager has been selected to carry the Olympic torch as a reward for being a positive role model.

Volunteer sports coach Lizzie Stansfield is of just 10 youngster to be picked as a Future Flame, an ambassador of the London 2012 Olympics on behalf of Coca Cola.

The Nelson and Colne College student was picked from tens of thousands of youngsters to carry the iconic Olympic flame, which will be lit in just over a year’s time.

The 17-year-old, of Skipton Road, Colne is now about to be propelled into the spotlight during the next 12 months as she takes part in a variety of promotional events leading up to the Games.

Earlier this week Lizzie, who has clocked up more than 300 hours of volunteering at Pendle Leisure Centre’s ICE Club, helping young people with disabilities get involved in sport, appeared on TV’s Daybreak alongside rapper Dizzie Rascal.

The former Fisher More RC Humanities College student was interviewed by Christine Bleakley and Dan Lobb.

She said: “To be one of just 10 picked is absolutely amazing. When I first got the call I just couldn’t believe it. I started volunteering after I did my work experience at Pendle Leisure Centre as I saw the difference the group meant to those who take part.

“The whole idea of the campaign is to highlight the young people who are doing something positive with their time and bringing happiness to others. To often we hear about the bad things young people do so its nice to be involved in something positive.”

The A Level student studying sociology, biology, psychology and IT is unsure what promotional event she will take part in next but she is to appear on the Coca Cola tour bus and have her face dotted on billboard and promotional leaflets across the country.