SHOCK, disbelief and sheer excitement was felt by many around the region as they received celebratory e-mails.

The first conditional offers of torchbearer places for the Olympic Torch Relay have been released, bringing smiles to many inspiring people across the region, who are one step closer to carrying the Olympic Flame next summer.

The lucky individuals received an e-mail from the London Organising Committee Of The Olympic And Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Among the aspiring Torchbearers was Mike Bromby, head coach at St Paul's boxing academy, in North Church Side, Hull.

Mr Bromby, the man who has nurtured the likes of Olympic hopeful Luke Campbell, said: "The news was unbelievable. I just didn't believe it.

"I knew I had been nominated, but I was also aware that so many other people had been put forward, too, so I didn't really think I would get through.

"I am so proud and honoured – I am completely over the moon."

Mr Bromby, who lives in Bilton, east Hull, was nominated by Hull City Council, as well as by Mitch Upfold, Hull City Council's regeneration progress manager.

Mr Upfold said: "I have seen the work he does with the youngsters at the boxing academy and he has been doing it for a long time through thick and thin – he deserves to be recognised."

Another resident a step closer to taking part in the Torch Relay is Claire Stockton from Hessle.

Mrs Stockton set up the Echoes Foundation in 2008, which is a charity raising funds to open a multi-purpose dedicated therapy centre for children across Hull, East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire with special and additional needs.

Mrs Stockton was nominated by her husband, Carl, for her charity work and the work she does at the Spire Hospital in Anlaby, as a senior operating department practitioner.

When she found out the news, Mrs Stockton was at Hull Royal Infirmary with her five-year-old son, Finley, who is currently being tested for Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome and was waiting to have a serious operation.

She said: "I had just been told that Finley would have to wait to have his operation, as there were no beds left, so when I found out the news, I was on an emotional roller-coaster. I was absolutely overwhelmed.

"I'm so honoured and I felt like somebody was looking down on me and cheering me on.

"This news really lifted my spirits and took my mind off everything else."

Mrs Stockton's second e-mail, which she received yesterday afternoon, revealed her conditional allocated spot would be on Monday, June 18, between Middlesbrough and Hull.

Head coach at the City Of Hull Amateur Boxing Club, Mike Gibbons, also received a conditional offer.

Mr Gibbons was nominated by his wife, Wendy, for his dedication and commitment when setting up the club in 2008, which is based in the 1st Avenue Community Centre off Greenwood Avenue, north Hull.

Mr Gibbons said: "I am absolutely dumbfounded. I am really surprised and quite shocked.

"I received a package through the post saying 'congratulations' before I even knew I had an e-mail.

"I can't put into words how I feel. I am just very, very proud and I am still in shock. But of course, I am over the moon.

"I am very proud for the city – it is about time boxing got coverage."

Successful Olympic Torchbearers will receive unconditional offers in March next year.