Malmesbury Special Constable Richard Warren found himself with an escort of burly Metropolitan Police officers when he carried the Olympic Flame through Trowbridge.

The 66-year-old grandfather from Hullavington, who has turned out for duty regularly for the past 44 years, was watched by his family and friends as he ran in the torch relay on Tuesday.

“It was brilliant,” he said. “I really, really enjoyed it. I felt so proud to be carrying it. As someone pointed out to me, at that point I was the only person it the world to be carrying the Olympic torch.”

His wife Lynette was there to see him, as were his young grandsons who were so excited they were jumping up and down.

Richard, who runs his own computer business, took up his volunteer police role back in the sixties because his glasses prevented him joining the regulars.

In recent years one of his duties was to help police the repatriations of fallen servicemen through Royal Wootton Bassett.

He is hoping to reach his Golden Jubilee of 50 years’ service before he eventually retires.