THE daughter of PC David Rathband is to take her father's place in carrying the Olympic torch next month.

PC Rathband was left blinded when he was shot by gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010 as he sat in his patrol car in Newcastle.

Despite his disability, PC Rathband fought to rebuild his life and set up a charity, the Blue Lamp Foundation, which helps emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty.

On February 29 this year, he was found hanged in his home in Blyth, Northumberland, after concerns were raised about his safety.

PC Rathband had been nominated to bear the Olympic torch in the North-East.

Sharron Ashurst from the Blue Lamp Foundation confirmed that Mia will be bearing the torch in place of her father in Whitburn, South Tyneside on June 16, in place of her father.

He was also to bear the torch in the Olympic Park itself, having notched up an impressive post-injury track record as a runner.

But, writing on Twitter, his son Ashley revealed that the duties had now been passed to daughter Mia, 13.

He wrote: "Very happy that the decisions been made for Mia to take our dads place in carrying the Olympic Torch next month #hedbeproud."