A 16-YEAR-OLD blind schoolgirl will carry the Olympic torch.

Mehreen Akhtar, a pupil at Moor End Academy in Crosland Moor, is training as an elite cross country athlete and wants to represent the UK in future Paralympics.

But before then she’ll be getting a taste for the Olympics by carrying the torch.

Huddersfield will get the flame on Sunday June 24. It will set off from Greenhead Park on a route which takes it through the town to Brighouse and other parts of West Yorkshire.

But, by then, Mehreen will already have carried it on part of the route between Hull and York on June 19.

Mehreen lives in Crosland Moor. She is the daughter of Mrs Parveen Akhtar and Mr Allaha Ditta and she has a 12-year-old sister, Lybah.

Mehreen said: “I am shocked because it was me who was chosen and honoured to represent myself, my school and my town.’’

Moor End assistant principal Debra Awty said: “Mehreen considers herself to be a normal teenager who happens to have no sight. She is truly inspirational as she immerses herself in both academy and community life without letting circumstances dictate what she can and can’t do.

“She is cheerful, polite and friendly, has a great sense of humour and never fails to impress all those who meet her.

“Mehreen has an incredibly positive attitude and is extremely enthusiastic.