A GOUROCK police inspector will take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay through Inverclyde on Monday — and then guard it with a former Olympic athlete.

Inspector Kenny Morrison is in charge of security for the event and his team of officers includes former 800 metre star, Seargant Tom McKean.

Kenny, 48, was nominated to be a baton bearer as reward for his many years of coaching with Inverclyde Athletic Club.

He said: “I volunteered to take charge of security during the baton relay, so it’s a tremendous double honour to be doing that and also carrying the baton.

“I got the security job because of my experience of operational policing arrangements and my awareness of the physical demands that will be placed on the officers.

“There’s a total of 40 people guarding the baton in shifts, with 12 there at any one time. All of us volunteered because of our involvement in running.

“We need to be fit because the relay involves covering 13 miles a day of walking, jogging and running, making sure the baton bearers and their families have a great time and are also engaging with the public.” Kenny is a champion 400-metre hurdler and holds the Inverclyde record for the distance at 54 seconds. He has been British police champion several times, as well as winning a European police championship bronze. He said he has seen a wide range of emotions from people carrying the baton, with some even shedding tears of joy.

He added: “We were taken aback one day when a couple of gymnasts did a somersault and a back flip with the baton without giving us any warning!” One of the faster members of his security team is Tom McKean, 50, whose achievements include winning a silver medal in the 1986 European Championships, the 1990 European Indoor Championships final, the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships final and lining up in a World Cup race in 1989.

Kenny’s team were in charge on the day a man allegedly tried to grab the baton in Kilmarnock. The person is now the subject of an upcoming court case.

Each day for the team begins with a 6.30am briefing for the officers, followed by a meeting half-an-hour later with the event director and the daily start of the relay.

Officers are on duty with the baton until evening celebration parties finish about 8.30pm.

Kenny said: “My security team have been with the baton in various places including the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, South and East Ayrshire, North and South Lanarkshire and Falkirk.

“We will also be involved in ensuring its safe arrival at Celtic Park for the opening ceremony of the Games.

“It has been a truly memorable experience, and I’m really looking forward to Monday.”