CARRYING the Olympic torch as it heads towards Beijing is within the grasp of a former Bolton schoolboy.

James Lloyd, from Wingates Lane, Westhoughton has been teaching English in the city of Xi'an China for nearly two years, but never expected he could play a part in the country's Olympic dream.

But then a friend told him that the games' organisers had allocated eight places for foreigners living in the country to carry the Olympic torch on it's journey to the opening ceremony in Beijing.

"It would be an unbelievable thing to do," said James, who has to get as many website votes as possible in order to be put forward to a committee who will make the final decision on who gets the honour.

The adventurous 23-year-old former Bolton School pupil ended up in China by chance after completing a degree in Human Geography at Sheffield University.

He still didn't know what career he wanted so decided to qualify for teaching English as a foreign language and got a six month contract to teach at the Aston English School in Xi'an.

"Two or three months in I thought 'I am enjoying this too much to stop' so I extended the contract," said James.

James was determined to immerse himself in Chinese life as much as possible and when he is not teaching has flung himself into learning to speak, read and write Chinese.

He admits he has become obsessed with learning the different Chinese characters.

"When I was at school I was rubbish at French so I don't know why I am so keen," he said.

He says living in China has been an a fantastic experience.

"When I first came I though Xi'an would be a small city but there are eight million people," he said.

"You go down the street and there will be a Walmart and right next door will be someone selling on the street.

"It is really good and it has been an amazing experience."

James, who at 6ft 4ins and sport mad has been nicknamed Peter Crouch by his Chinese pals has taken up basketball and yoga.

"It wasn't particularly elegant but you have got to try these things," said James, who also plays drums and helps lead the chanting for his local Shaan Xi football team and has developed a passion for the traditional Chinese board game Mah Jong.

Running is a particular favourite once a fortnight he runs around the walls of Xi'an in preparation for competing in the Beijing Marathon in three weeks time.

After visits back to England James says he is keen to get back to China and his enthusiastic pupils but, apart from his mum, Janet the thing he misses most about his home country is chips with gravy.

"You can get chips here but they are not the same," he said.

James intends to stay in China at least until after the Olympics and has already got tickets to watch the athletics events.

"I would have been happy enough with that but to carry the torch would be amazing," he said.

People can vote for James to become a torchbearer by logging on here