THE Isle of Man is being urged to nominate local residents to take part in carrying the Paralympic Flame on its journey to the opening ceremony for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Lloyds TSB, which is a presenting partner for the torch relay, is promoting its ‘Shine a Light’ campaign on the Isle of Man and is specifically looking for people who have made a difference in the community and inspired and supported disabled people.

Anyone can be a Paralympic torch bearer whether they are disabled or not. In a statement issued this morning, Lloyds TSB said, “Whether it is a disabled person who has  achieved personal success, the teacher who removes barriers to include pupils with a disability in sport, the family member who cares for someone with a disability or the friend who’s raised thousands of pounds for charities that support and empower disabled people, we are inviting everyone to nominate someone to carry the Paralympic flame.”

Lord Seb Coe, a passionate Chelsea fan and chairman of London 2012, has nominated five members of Chelsea’s disability football team including the manager Rob Searle to carry the Paralympic flame.

He said, “Rob consistently inspires people to do things they never thought possible and impresses parents with how he inspires their disabled children to play football for the first time. Many children arrive at his training sessions lacking in confidence, but Rob changes this and ensures self-belief is instilled into every individual with his ‘can do’ attitude.”

Successful torch bearers will work in teams of five to carry four separate flames lit in London, Greater Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff from August 24, before a special ceremony at Stoke Mandeville brings them together to create the Paralympic Flame.

The flame will then be carried by non-stop 24-hour relay from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium to open the London 2012 Paralympic Games on August 29.

Nominations can be made online via www.lloydstsb.com/paralympicflame until 22 November 2011.