IDENTICAL twins Hannah and Emily Walker will carry the Olympic Torch in Newport this Friday.

The pair, aged 17, who have both represented Wales European and World Tae Kwon Do Championships in the past two years, were nominated for the honour by their mum Beverley, 51.

The teenagers will take time out studying for AS exams in biology, chemistry, geography and physical education to each complete a leg of the Newport tour.

Hannah will run in Stow Hill before handing over the torch to Emily, who will run down Friars Road and finish in Waterloo Road.

Their mum, who runs Walker’s Newsagents in Caerleon, was inspired to nominate the Rougemont School pupils because of the hard work and dedication they put into training for their sport three times a week, since taking it up three years ago.

She also thought it would be a worthy treat for the girls who are currently fundraising for children’s cancer charity The Joshua Foundation, ahead of trip to do conservation work in Australia next year.

They have held car boot and cake sales, and even got their dad Andrew, 50, to shave his head in aid of the charity.

Their mum said: "They are very excited. I don’t think they accepted the importance of it but now seeing the coverage on the TV they know what an opportunity it is."