Simon and Tigger Stokes (courtesy of Evening News)

Norwich Vicar - and his dog - to carry Olympic Torch

Canon Stokes, who is no stranger to marathons, said, "I am both excited and honoured to have been chosen to carry the torch. Tigger is excited too, and is already anticipating with relish the extra fuss and attention he'll receive. We work well as a team, and provide two dog-collars for the price of one."

Simon Stokes is no stranger to Norfolk. He was ordained in Norwich Cathedral in 1992 and went to be curate at Christ Church, New Catton. From there he moved to become a vicar in King's Lynn, returning to Norwich in 2006 to be Minister at Bowthorpe. He moved to Sprowston in September of last year, and is also an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. Simon is married to Christine, who teaches in Bowthorpe, and has three grown-up children. Simon is registered blind, but this has not deterred him from running marathons with Tigger, teaching in India and sailing  as a boson's mate on a tall ship across the Atlantic.