A PRIORY Community School student has been selected from a shortlist of thousands to carry the Olympic torch next year.

Tom Easterby, aged 15, was praised by judges from Coca Cola for helping North Somerset people, as well as his sporting lifestyle and his positive attitude and he will now carry the torch some of the way between Exeter and Taunton in May.

The judges for the soft drink giant’s Future Flames competition included Dizzee Rascal, the rap artist.

Tom, who is in year 10 at the Queensway academy in Worle, was last week in the school’s rugby team that reached the semi-final of the Daily Mail cup and which was featured live on the internet.

He is also a champion high jumper in North Somerset and a winger for Hornets Rugby Club in Weston.

He said: “I was thrilled to hear I will be carrying the Olympic torch.

“It was unexpected. I was shortlisted two months ago and knew how difficult it would be.

“In my application I wrote that I had had a positive effect on the community by helping people and I have an active lifestyle.

“I also wrote about my positive attitude. I don’t look negatively on things, always look for a positive situation and always try to make the best out of everything.”

Tom now hopes to be an actor or professional rugby player when he leaves Priory.

Another Priory student, Anne-Marie Savory, aged 14 and in year nine, reached the final rounds out of 20,000 people in the competition to carry the torch.

Anne-Marie was nominated by her mum because of her caring personality, as well as for doing brilliantly at school.