England squad member Jack Hodgson, a 15-year-old visually impaired and deaf judoka from Gainsborough, has been selected as an Olympic torchbearer for 2012.

The London 2012 Olympic torch relay begins on 19 May 2012 at Land's End and ends 70 days later on 27 July at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium with over 37,000 people applying to carry the Olympic flame.

On Thursday Locog contacted 6,800 people to offer them the torchbearer role with a further 1,200 offers to be made by the end of January 2012.

Jack has been involved in judo since the age of 6 and his exciting talent has seen him join the Nottinghamshire County Judo squad and he has since been selected for the England Judo cadet squad.

The Cherry Judo Club standout took gold at the British Special Needs Championships in August before impressing against fully sighted opponents as he claimed bronze at the Heart of England Championships and British Championships, the premier junior competition in the country.

Jack Hodgson (middle row, far left) in Belgium with Nottinghamshire County Squad

Proud mum Nicky said: “I am absolutely delighted that Jack has been selected.

"Jack is profoundly deaf and also visually impaired yet despite this he has recently been selected for the England cadet squad.”

Trevor Sitlinton, England Squad Administrator, said: “I'm really pleased for Jack, his club and Nottingham Judo.

"It's been his first year on the England squad and it's been challenging for him but he's done brilliantly. This is a great achievement for Jack and I hope he has a fantastic experience."

Paul Keeton, Nottinghamshire Judo County Squad Organiser, said: “It is great that one of our squad members has been selected to become a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics.

"Jack has been a regular with the squad since it was re-formed back in June 2009 and has not only become a great competitor - as he gained a place on the main England squad this year - but also he has worked tirelessly as a volunteer, refereeing and helping at many events. Jack is a great ambassador for British Judo and a worthy torchbearer.”