JOHN Firth will be raring to go when the Commonwealth Games come to town next month.

Not only has he been snapped up as a VIP helper during the 10 day sporting event, but he is also helping to make history by carrying the Queen's Jubilee baton.

Mr Firth, from Westhoughton, has Parkinson's disease but before being struck with the illness, he once ran every day for 11 years and 33 days in a row.

He will be taking time off work during the Games which begin on July 25.

The baton will be carried through Bolton on July 23 as part of a relay which has so far travelled more than 60,000 miles across the Commonwealth -- the longest in history.

And from neighbouring Leigh, marathon man Steve Redford, David Potter and Tracey North, along with John Shepherd, of Atherton, Rebecca Tarry, of Astley, and Darrell Lawton, of Hindley, have also been selected to carry the baton.

For Steve, aged 53, of Lightburne Avenue, the distance will be no problem. He completed 37 marathons upto the age of 40, and is renowned as the first man to complete a twin towers run from Paris to Blackpool in 1989.

The Dunlop works manager and former Huyton RL star, Steve said: "I am delighted to have been chosen. For me the distance is hardly worth putting my running shoes on for, but I am very honoured to be representing the Leigh community.

A host of sporting greats and entertainment stars will carry the baton to the opening ceremony of the Games.

Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Steve Redgrave, Ian Botham, Denise Lewis, Sally Gunnell and Bury's netball player Tracey Neville are set to bring the baton to Manchester on July 25.

They will be joined by television and entertainment celebrities such as Jonny Vegas, Lesley Garrett, Evelyn Glennie, Leslie Ash, Floella Benjamin and members of Coronation Street.

More than 5,000 community heroes and aspiring athletes have been taking part in the longest relay in history.

The Relay will have travelled almost 60,000 miles, across 24 Commonwealth nations in all six regions of the world.

Di Henry, baton relay director, said: "For many people the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay is their chance to be part of the Commonwealth Games and support their local and national athletes as well as pay tribute to the sporting greats who have inspired generations of sportsmen and women."