OLYMPIC torchbearer 17-year-old Jade Brathwaite met the Games’ official mascots yesterday.

The official Olympic mascot Wenlock and Paralympic mascot Mandeville made the visit to King Alfred’s Academy to join in with the school’s sports day.

The Wantage school is the only secondary in the country to get a visit from the pair due to the school’s involvement in the Get Set Programme - a scheme to use the London 2012 games to inspire youngsters through sport.

Jade, pictured, a Year 12 student and county badminton champion, has been chosen to carry the Olympic flame through Abingdon on Tuesday.

She said: “Meeting the 2012 mascots at my school was very exciting and made me realise what an incredible experience carrying the Olympic torch is going to be for me.

“I feel very grateful that I was chosen to be part of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in this way.”

And Max Painter, 12, said: “The mascots coming here is great for our school and great for Britain as a whole. It really sets us up for a brilliant Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

In September, 390 students from the academy will spend the day watching the Paralympic Games.

KING Alfred’s Academy is to expand after landing a £650,000 Government grant – see page 15. Picture: OX52876 Jon Lewis