THE spectacular Olympics Torch Relay has captured the imagination of a nation.

And a Huddersfield student is right at the heart of it.

Tom Gardner, 20, of Honley, is playing a vital role in getting the torchbearers into place on the relay the length and breadth of the country.

It’s certainly a work experience placement with a difference for the Sheffield Hallam student, who is studying PE.

And Tom admitted: “It’s been the best experience of my life.”

He works on the shuttle bus ferrying the runners to and from their pick-up points and also briefs them on their part in the historic relay.

The job has meant he has rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as the Jedward twins, singer Emeli Sande, TV presenter Jenni Falconer and former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland footballer Paul McGrath.

But Tom has been equally overawed by the many, many people chosen because of the achievements in their own lives.

“I get up in the early hours feeling grim and then get to meet so many wonderful people. They have run marathons for charity, climbed mountains and overcome terrible personal handicaps.

“I feel privileged and humbled to be involved with them on such an historic event.”

Tom, who lives in Honley with mum Alison and dad Russell, is a former Honley High School pupil and Huddersfield New College student.

He wants to be a PE teacher when he graduates.

“I had to find a work experience placement for six weeks and intended to work in a school until I saw the Olympics advert.

“They took me on and I had to go down to Land’s End a few days before the torch arrived in Britain.

“We were in Dumfries yesterday and it was pouring down but there were still huge crowds, as there have been everywhere.

“I can’t wait until Sunday when we reach my home town of Huddersfield and I get the chance to run along the route in front of all my family.”