A DEDICATED Greenock community worker and former sports champion has been chosen to be a Commonwealth Games baton bearer.

Joyce Dempster’s family didn’t tell her they were nominating her — and she was ‘overwhelmed’ when she heard she had been selected.

She said: “I’m in training now to walk and run the 200 metres with the baton!” Joyce, 67, pictured, was a sports champion at Holmscroft primary and Finnart secondary schools, ran for Renfrewshire County and was a member of the former Rankin Park women’s athletics club.

She added: “I was a sprinter and a long jumper. I enjoyed athletics, but I never dreamed I’d be involved anything as big as the Commonwealth Games.” The selectors were impressed by Joyce’s sporting background, and her many years volunteering through churches with the Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, a badminton club and other activities.

Her husband, Bill, 64, and daughters Lesley and Lynne say they are all very proud of her.

Joyce, who lives on the Esplanade, said: “I knew nothing about the baton until Bill told me he had received an email confirming I’d been chosen. I was lost for words.

“I feel there are people who are more worthy than me to carry the baton, but I’m delighted to be doing it.” Joyca has been told she will carry the baton somewhere in Inverclyde, but doesn’t know where yet. She will receive a uniform four weeks before the baton arrives in Inverclyde.

It will pass through Inverclyde on day 31 of the 40 day Scottish tour on 14 July as part of a worldwide tour of 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

The Scottish leg kicks off in Edinburgh on 14 June, ending in Glasgow on 20 July.

The opening ceremony in Glasgow will be on 23 July.