TORCHBEARER Richard Bradshaw has been honoured by one of Britain's biggest charities at a special ceremony at the House of Lords.Mr Bradshaw, of Felixstowe, was one of 50 chosen torchbearers who took part in Cancer Research UK's unique Golden Jubilee Summer Party Torch Relay, sponsored by British Gas.

By Richard Cornwell

TORCHBEARER Richard Bradshaw has been honoured by one of Britain's biggest charities at a special ceremony at the House of Lords.

Mr Bradshaw, of Felixstowe, was one of 50 chosen torchbearers who took part in Cancer Research UK's unique Golden Jubilee Summer Party Torch Relay, sponsored by British Gas.

He was presented with a special commemorative coin as a thank you for carrying the millennium flame on one leg of its journey into London.

The flame, used by the Queen to light the millennium beacon on December 31, 1999, was taken from Great Yarmouth to St Paul's Cathedral where it was blessed during a special service, attended by the torchbearers, MPs, representatives from other cancer charities, and pop group Atomic Kitten who brought it into the cathedral.

It was then presented to the Queen in the Mall during her Golden Jubilee celebrations last month.

Mr Bradshaw, chairman of the charity's Felixstowe committee, was carrying the torch on behalf of fundraisers across the country. He was presented with his coin by chairman of Cancer Research UK, Baroness Hayman.

"I feel really privileged to have taken part in the torch relay. It was an amazing experience and I was delighted to have been invited to receive my commemorative coin at the House of Lords," he said.

Alongside the other torchbearers, he was among the first to see a giant mural depicting the many faces and facets of the work of Cancer Research UK.

The 9ft by 6ft canvas, which took nine months to complete, was painted by acclaimed artist Rosa Branson, second cousin of Virgin boss Richard.

It was unveiled at The House of Lords after being painted to celebrate the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research Fund, which formed Cancer Research UK back in February.