BENFLEET policewoman Kirste Snellgrove spoke tonight of "the most amazing experience of my life" after taking part in the Olympic torch relay.

Kirste, 39, was one of 80 people who took part in the relay across London today, mixing with stars of stage, TV and sport, and said: "It's been a day I'll never forget.

"I was so lucky to be chosen to carry the torch as part of a promotion run by Capital Radio and Coca Cola.

"A friend nominated me and I knew some time back I was on a short list of five and a few weeks ago I got the news that I'd been chosen."

Kirste, who is stationed at Chelmsford, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and ran in last year's London Marathon.

She is a member of Benfleet Running Club and said: "I received the torch from Basildon actress Denise van Outen at Piccadilly and handed it over to Chelsea Football Club chief executive Peter Kenyon at Haymarket.

"Denise was absolutely lovely and I had a joke with Peter Kenyon that I'd set light to him with it as I'm a keen Spurs fan!

"I know all the publicity after the relay is going to be about the protests, but I'm thankful that there were no incidents during my leg.

"Friends who came up to support me said that it must have been a strange experience being surrounded by so much security, but to be honest I wasn't aware of anyone else at all.

"I was completely in a world of my own. I ran the leg and it's an experience I'll never forget.

"It's been one of the greatest days of my life.

"Obviously it was a cold day for the time of year, but it didn't snow during my leg and it wouldn't have mattered if it had done.

"I was so excited about taking part that I could have been knee-deep in snow and I wouldn't have noticed.

"I heard about protesters trying to snatch the torch from former Blue Peter girl Konni Huq later on and it must have been a frightening moment for her.

"But she didn't let it go even though she's only quite small.

"I don't really want to get involved in the controversy about the protests. I'm not unsympathetic of what others might be suffering, but I'm a firm believer that politics and sport shouldn't mix.

"The whole day has been an incredible experience and one I'll never forget.

"My cancer returned a couple of months ago, but as far as I'm concerned that's just another hurdle I'll overcome.

"Benfleet Running Club have been so supportive of me during my illness and I'm so grateful my running gave me the chance to take part in such a memorable occasion."

The penultimate leg of the relay was run by Thurrock's Paralympic champion Danny Crates, who handed it over to double Olympic gold medalist kelly Holmes, who lit the Olympic cauldron.